Native American Legends
Who is the Strongest ?
A Zuni Legend
Once upon a time it was raining, and the first little red ant came
out in Halona. There was still snow, and he froze his foot. He said,
"Snow, you are stronger than I am. Are you the strongest thing
there is?" The Snow answered, "No, I am not the strongest
thing there is. The Sun is stronger than I am, for when the Sun
shines, I melt."
The little red ant went to the Sun. He said, "Sun, you are
stronger than the Snow. Are you the strongest thing there is?"
The Sun said, "No, I am not the strongest thing there is. The
Wind is stronger than I am, for when I am shining the Wind blows
clouds across my face." The little red ant went to the Wind.
He said, "Wind, you are stronger than the Sun. Are you the
strongest thing there is?" The Wind answered, "No, I am
not the strongest thing there is. A house is stronger than I am,
for I run against a house, and it kills me."
The little red ant went to House. He said, "House, you are
stronger than Wind. Are you the strongest thing there is?"
The House answered, "No, I am not the strongest thing there
is. Mouse is stronger than I am. He makes holes in my body and kills
me."
The little red ant went to Mouse. He said, "Mouse, you are
stronger than House. Are you the strongest thing there is?"
Mouse answered, "No, I am not the strongest thing there is.
Cat is stronger than I am. Cat can overtake me and kill me."
The little red ant went to Cat. He said, "Cat, you are stronger
than Mouse. Are you the strongest thing there is?" Cat answered,
"No, I am not the strongest thing there is. Stick is stronger
than I am. If you hit me with Stick, it kills me."
The little red ant went to Stick. He said, "Stick, you are
stronger than Cat. Are you the strongest thing there is?" Stick
answered, "No, I am not the strongest thing there is. Fire
is stronger than I am. If you throw me in the fire, it kills me."
The little red ant went to Fire. He said, "Fire, you are stronger
than Stick. Are you the strongest thing there is?" Fire answered,
"No, I am not the strongest thing there is. Water is stronger
than I am. If you pour water on me, it kills me."
The little red ant went to Water. He said, "Water, you are
stronger than Fire. Are you the strongest thing there is?"
Water answered, "No, I am not the strongest thing there is.
Cow is stronger than I am. When cow drinks me, it kills me."
The little red ant went to Cow. He said, "Cow, you are stronger
than Water. Are you the strongest thing there is?" Cow answered,
"No, I am not the strongest thing there is. Stone Knife is
stronger than I am. When Stone Knife cuts me in the heart, it kills
me."
The little red ant went to Stone Knife. He said, "Stone Knife,
you are stronger than Cow. Are you the strongest thing there is?"
Stone Knife answered, "No, I am not the strongest thing there
is. "Big Stone is stronger than I am. When I am thrown down
upon Big Stone, it kills me."
This is what happened long ago, and that is why we are afraid of
the rock.
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