Native American Legends
Why Porcupine has Quills
A Chippewa Legend
Long ago, when the world was young, porcupines had no quills.
One day, when Porcupine was in the woods, Bear came along and wanted
to eat him. But Porcupine climbed to the top of a tree and was safe.
The next day, when Porcupine was under a hawthorn tree, he noticed
how the thorns pricked him. He had an idea. He broke off some of
the branches of the hawthorn and put them on his back. Then he went
into the woods and wait for Bear.
When Bear sprang on Porcupine, the little animal just curled himself
up in a ball. Bear had to go away, for the thorns pricked him very
much.
Nanabozho saw what happened. He called Porcupine to him and asked,
"How did you know that trick?"
"I am always in danger when Bear comes along," replied
Porcupine. "When I saw those thorns, I thought I would use
them."
So Nanabozho took some branches from the hawthorn tree and peeled
off the bark until they were white. Then he put some clay on the
back of Porcupine, stuck the thorns in it, and made the whole a
part of his skin.
"Now go into the woods," said Nanabozho.
Porcupine obeyed, and Nanabozho hid himself behind a tree. Soon
Wolf came along. He sprang on Porcupine and then ran away, howling.
Bear came along, but he did not get near Porcupine. He was afraid
of those thorns.
That is why all porcupines have quills today.
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