Native American Legends
Turtle and the Eagle (Colville Story)
Long ago all the animal people wanted to be chief of all the people.
So it was decided that whoever was the fastest can be the Chief.
Well no one could beat the eagle, he was a big bird and flew very
fast. One day, turtle has a dream, he dreamed on how to beat the
eagle in a race. Turtle's best friend the mouse woke up turtle saying,
"wake up turtle, your going to sleep your life away, look the
sun is up."
"Mouse, Mouse, I had a dream last night, I know how to beat
the eagle in a race" said turtle. "Oh turtle, you can't
beat eagle, your too slow" sighed mouse. Well, mouse knew he
couldn't change his mind, as they went to see eagle.
Turtle walked up to eagle and said," Eagle, I want to race
you." Eagle started laughing as well or all the other animal
people. Turtle looked up and said," Eagle don't you want to
race me?"
Eagle raised his voice and said," My people, I will race anywhere
turtle wants."
Turtle smiled and said,"Eagle, I will race you..........I
will race you to the ground. Please grab me and take me way up into
the sky."
Eagle grabbed turtle and flew way up into the sky, way up into
the clouds. "Ok eagle, I will race you to the ground, whoever
gets there first wins, so let go of me," said the turtle.
Eagle let go of turtle and whoosh, turtle started falling to the
earth below. Eagle said with a surprise in his voice, "oh,
oh ", and took off after turtle ".
Turtle was yelling out" WEEEEEEEEE", for this was the
first time turtle flew. The eagle flew faster and faster, but could
not catch up to the turtle, he was falling like a rock.! The animal
people below were all cheering for their friend the turtle.
Turtle came down and hit the earth with a boom, dust flew up everywhere.
Turtle had won, he beat the eagle to the ground! Eagle said,"
ok turtle, your the chief, your the boss now. "
With a smile turtle replied," No......I don"t think anyone
should be the Chief, I think everyone should be free, to go anywhere
they want, do anything they want to do, so, ....my people, your
free!"
The animal peoples looked at each other for a moment then came
a raising cheer, and they took off in all directions, for now they
were free!
Turtle motioned to his little friend," come on mouse lets
go home".
And that is how the turtle beat the eagle in a race.
Native American Legends
Back to Top
Other Native American Legends
|
Native American Legends A-B