Myths and Legends of the Sioux | ||
THE RABBIT AND THE GROUSE GIRLS
The rabbit once went out on the prairie in winter
time. On the side of a hill away from the wind
he found a great company of girls all with grey and
speckled blankets over their backs. They were the
The Rabbit and the Grouse Girls
"Oh, maidens, that is not a good way to coast down hill. Let me get you a fine skin with bangles on it that tinkle as you slide." And away he ran to the tepee and brought a skin bag. It had red stripes on
But as soon as the rabbit had gone out of the tent, the grouse girls began to cry out:
"Grandmother, let us out."
"Who are you?" asked the old woman.
"Your dear grandchildren," they answered.
"But how came you in the bag?" asked the old woman.
"Oh, our cousin was jesting with us. He coaxed us in the bag for a joke. Please let us out."
"Certainly, dear grandchildren, I will let you out," said the old woman as she untied the bag: and lo, the grouse flock with achuck-a-chuck-achuck flew up, knocking over the old grandmother and flew out of the square smoke opening of the winter lodge. The old woman caught only one grouse as it flew up and held it, grasping a leg with each hand.
When the rabbit came home with the spits she called out to him:
"Grandson, come quick. They got out but I have caught two."
When he saw what had happened he was quite angry, yet could not keep from laughing.
"Grandmother, you have but one grouse," he cried, and it is a very skinny one at that."
Myths and Legends of the Sioux | ||