Narrative Summary of The Indian Fairy Book: From the Original Legends

Overview:

This book is a collection of classic Indian fairy tales and legends, originally interpreted from the old tales and legends by Henry R. Schoolcraft, and reinterpreted and developed by the Editor, Cornelius Mathews. I would like to read this book to learn about the native stories and legends of the American Indian. It would be interesting to see how these stories are similar to the European fairy tales that I already know, and to understand what is unique about the American Indian culture through their stories.

Main parts:

The Celestial Sisters: This story tells of Waupee, a skillful hunter, who falls in love with one of twelve sisters who descend from the sky in a basket. He eventually marries the youngest sister and they have a son. The wife, however, misses her family and returns to the stars. Her son, however, grows up missing his father and his grandfather sends him back to earth. The father is overjoyed to see his son again and they, along with the son’s mother, are reunited and return to the stars.
The Boy who Set a Snare for the Sun: This story tells of a boy who is left alone with his sister in the world after all other humans are killed by animals. The boy becomes a great hunter and grows bitter about the sun. He devises a plan to catch the sun with a snare, but his plan fails and he learns the lesson that he is too small to control nature.
Strong Desire and the Red Sorcerer: Odshedoph, the Child of Strong Desires, has a son who is afraid of everything. The father discourages the son’s cowardice by saying that he will never be able to kill the Red Head, a powerful sorcerer. The son, ashamed, leaves home and vows to become brave. He is helped by a witch and, with her help, he disguises himself as a woman to trick the Red Head. He successfully kills the sorcerer and returns home to be celebrated as a hero.
The Wonderful Exploits of Grasshopper: A small but incredibly strong man sets off on a journey to find people. He encounters various creatures and is constantly changing his form to match the creatures. He becomes a beaver, an elk, and a brant before returning to his human form. He finds a village and becomes their leader. He then sets off on a new adventure and encounters Manabozho, the famous giant, who is constantly trying to stop him. Manabozho is able to restore anything that Grasshopper destroys, but Grasshopper outwits him at every turn. Grasshopper eventually returns to his village and helps them find a new home. His exploits continue when he encounters the Bear King, who he eventually kills and turns into a servant of the Indians. He then goes on to set off for one more adventure before returning to his village and becoming a leader of his people.
The Two Jeebi: This story tells of a hunter who is visited by two mysterious females. They behave very strangely, constantly eating the fat of the deer and refusing to come near the fire. The hunter and his wife are suspicious, but continue to treat them with kindness. The mysterious females finally reveal themselves as the hunter’s two dead sisters, who have come to test the hunter’s character.
Osseo, the Son of the Evening Star: Osseo is a poor old man who marries Oweenee, a beautiful young woman. His family and community mock him for his age and poverty. Oweenee, however, stands by him. Osseo’s magic walking stick allows him to regain his youth when he is at his usual prayer spot, and his wife, in turn, becomes an old woman. Osseo’s father, the Evening Star, summons him and his wife to the stars where they are granted immortality and their earthly belongings are transformed into magical items. They are reunited with their family members, who are transformed into birds. They are forced to flee to earth when their son is born and the magic is broken.
Gray Eagle and his Five Brothers: A family of falcons is left alone when their parents are killed. The eldest, Gray Eagle, takes care of his siblings, but is injured while hunting. His brothers refuse to leave him behind and take care of him over the winter. Two of the brothers travel south for the winter, leaving the others behind. The family is threatened by a White Owl, but Gray Eagle rescues them and the owl learns a valuable lesson about not being a tyrant.
The Toad-Woman: A young woman finds fresh meat at her door every morning and learns that it is being delivered by a handsome young man. He becomes her husband and they have a son. The husband disappears, however, and the woman’s son is stolen by the Toad-Woman. The woman sets out in pursuit and is helped by a series of old women who know the way. She eventually reaches the Toad-Woman’s village and is reunited with her son. Her son learns the truth and, with the help of his faithful dog, Spirit-Iron, defeats the Toad-Woman.
The Origin of the Robin: This story tells of a young man who is forced to undertake a fast by his ambitious father. He has bad dreams, however, and tells his father that he wants to break his fast. The father refuses and the young man is forced to continue his fast. As he continues to fast, he is transformed into a robin red-breast, which he accepts, understanding that he is meant to be a bringer of peace and joy rather than a warrior.
White Feather and the Six Giants: White Feather is a young man who is destined to be a great hunter, warrior, and man. He is given a magic white feather that allows him to become a skilled hunter, warrior, and man. He encounters the six giants who had killed all of his relatives, and he defeats them in a series of races with the help of a magic vine. He is tricked, however, by the last giant who is disguised as a woman. He is turned into a dog and forced to live in a village with the giant. He is helped by two sisters who are fasting to gain power. The younger sister takes pity on him and helps him to regain his human form. White Feather then uses his power to defeat the giant and to restore life to those who had been killed by the giants.
Sheem, the Forsaken Boy: A family is left alone after their father dies. The elder son leaves home to find other humans, leaving his younger brother, Sheem, behind. His sister also abandons him. He is befriended by wolves and eventually becomes a wolf-boy. His brother, Owasso, encounters him and is horrified to see what has happened. Owasso is married to the daughter of a wicked magician, Mishosha, and is constantly trying to escape. He succeeds in escaping with his wife, but the magician pursues them. Owasso is forced to change into a snake to escape the magician and is given shelter by the Rock Manito. The magician is unable to harm Owasso when he is with the Rock Manito, but he is still determined to kill him. Owasso eventually defeats the magician and returns to his sister and brother. Sheem has become a wolf, however, and will not return to his human form.
The Magic Bundle: This story tells of a poor man who is constantly traveling alone. He is given a magic bundle by a mysterious woman who appears each time he hangs up the bundle. He is surprised by the strange behavior of the woman who eats the fat of the deer he brings back, but he eventually learns that she is helping him find a wife.
The Red Swan: Three brothers are left alone after the death of their parents. Maidwa, the youngest brother, sees a beautiful Red Swan and is determined to catch it. He uses his father’s magic arrows to shoot the swan, but it flies away. He sets off in pursuit, and along the way is forced to marry the daughters of two different chiefs before being reunited with his brothers. The brothers are jealous of Maidwa’s good luck and have stolen his magic arrows. Maidwa travels to the underworld to retrieve the lost arrows and returns to his brothers, but the magic of the arrows has changed him into a bird. The brothers have tried to take his wife, the Red Swan, for themselves. Maidwa is able to reclaim his magic arrows and his wife. He learns that he is destined to be with the Red Swan, who was originally stolen from a magician who had lost his scalp.
The Man with his Leg Tied Up: A man with one leg tied to his thigh, Aggo Dah Gauda, has a beautiful daughter who he fears will be stolen by the buffalo king. The buffalo king, however, successfully kidnaps the daughter and takes her back to his village. Aggo sets off in pursuit and is able to track the buffalo king to his village. Aggo is able to rescue his daughter and they escape the buffalo king.
The Little Spirit or Boy-Man: A small boy lives alone with his sister. He is incredibly strong and uses his powers to outwit four brothers who are always trying to get revenge on him for stealing their fish.
The Enchanted Moccasins: This story tells of a man who is given enchanted moccasins by a mysterious old woman. He is being pursued by a giant who wants to kill him. He uses the moccasins to escape the giant, but the moccasins are stolen by Ko-ko, the Owl. Ko-ko tries to use the moccasins for his own purposes, but he is tricked and eventually defeated by the moccasins.
He of the Little Shell: A small boy named Dais Imid is given a magic shell by his sister. He becomes a skilled hunter and uses his magic shell to outwit Manabozho, a powerful giant. The shell allows him to become invisible. Dais Imid and his sister eventually separate and Dais Imid is swallowed by a fish. He is able to escape the fish’s stomach and escapes a giant who wants to drown him in a boiling kettle. He eventually reunites with his sister, who transforms into the Morning Star.
Manabozho, the Mischief-Maker: Manabozho is a giant who is always getting into trouble. He travels to see his father, the West, and is told that the West is afraid of a black stone. Manabozho tricks his father and the two engage in a battle. Manabozho defeats his father, but the West grants him power and allows him to go on a journey to help people. Manabozho sets off to kill the Pearl Feather, a wicked manito, and is successful with the help of a woodpecker. He then creates a lake of oil for all of his friends, the animals and birds, to enjoy. Manabozho is tricked by a wolf, who teaches him to be wary about being too clever. He is then tricked into falling into a tree, but the wolves take pity on him and feed him. The wolf leaves Manabozho with one of his sons, who Manabozho tricks into falling through the ice. Manabozho loses most of his magical powers and is reduced to a poor man. He is given a raccoon by the woodpecker and learns that he has no magical powers left. Manabozho then fasts and is given a vision of how to help his people. He is tricked by a hunter who changes his companion into a rock, but Manabozho eventually is able to get revenge by changing all of the animals into squirrels.
Leelinau, the Lost Daughter: Leelinau is the daughter of a hunter who loves to spend time in the Sacred Wood. She meets a spirit who tells her that he is her true love. She leaves her family and goes to be with him in the Sacred Wood. Her family searches for her, but she is never found again.
The Winter Spirit and his Visitor: An old man is visited by a young man who represents Spring. The young man is able to melt the old man away with his warmth.
The Fire-Plume: This story tells of Wassamo, who is taken by two mysterious women to the underworld. He is offered a wife by the Sand Spirit and is warned of the Island Spirit. He is forced to escape the Island Spirit when he goes to get tobacco for the Sand Spirit. He is given permission to return to his family, but he is unable to leave the underworld.
Weendigoes and the Bone-Dwarf: A hunter is visited by a Weendigo, a giant cannibal. He is terrified, but the Weendigo does not harm the family. The hunter is eventually tricked by a second Weendigo who kidnaps his wife. The hunter vows revenge and sets out to find the Weendigo. His son meets a Bone-Dwarf and the two become friends. The Bone-Dwarf eventually uses his powers to kill the Weendigo.
The Bird Lover: A wicked manito, disguised as an old Indian, is able to trick many people into running a race with him and kill those who lose. He is defeated by Monedowa, a bird lover who is able to outwit the manito by changing into a bird.
Bokwewa, the Humpback: Bokwewa is a manito, disguised as a man, who lives with his brother. The brother, Kwasynd, sets off to find a wife. He finds the body of a beautiful woman and asks Bokwewa to bring her back to life. The woman is brought back to life, but is a spirit. She refuses to eat and is eventually taken back to the Spirit World. Kwasynd sets off to find her, but is tricked and is distracted by the soft people of the South. Bokwewa follows him and is able to find his way to the Spirit World and reunite with Kwasynd’s wife.
The Crane that Crossed the River: A hunter and his sons are pursued by the spirit of a woman they have wronged. They are rescued by a crane that carries them across a river. The woman is also rescued, but she disobeys the crane’s instructions and is cast into the rapids. The family is saved by the crane.
Wunzh, the Father of Indian Corn: Wunzh fasts to gain the favor of the Great Spirit. He is visited by a handsome young man who challenges him to a wrestling match. After three days of wrestling, Wunzh wins and is given instructions about how to grow corn. He plants his friend’s body and corn grows from it, becoming the gift of the Great Spirit to the people.

View on Life:

Respect for Nature: There is a strong respect for nature in many of these stories and the characters often learn important lessons about the power of nature. The boy who sets a snare for the sun learns that he is too small to control nature. Grasshopper learns that he must use his power responsibly. The story of the Origin of the Robin emphasizes the importance of being kind to nature.
Respect for Elders: Many of the stories emphasize the importance of respecting elders. Manabozho learns a valuable lesson about respecting his grandmother in the story about the arrow-heads. The story of the Crane that Crossed the River reinforces the importance of respecting elders and not being too clever.
Importance of Family: The stories stress the importance of family and the bonds that unite people. There are several stories about siblings who must learn to be kind to each other. The story of The Two Jeebi emphasizes the importance of kindness and compassion to those who have passed.
Importance of Patience: Many of the stories suggest that it is important to be patient and to persevere. White Feather’s success in defeating the giants is a testament to his patience. Maidwa’s persistence in searching for the Red Swan is a testament to his determination.
The Importance of Listening to Others: Many characters in the stories learn that it is important to listen to others, especially elders, to get good advice. The story of Strong Desire and the Red Sorcerer illustrates the importance of listening to wise counsel. The story of Manabozho, the Mischief-Maker, highlights the problems of not listening to others, especially when they are giving you good advice.

Scenarios:

A man is visited by a spirit who promises to help him if he completes a fast.
A boy sets a snare for the sun.
A young man disguises himself as a woman to trick a sorcerer.
A man is constantly changing his form to outwit a giant.
A family is visited by a cannibal who devours their food.
A man travels to the underworld to retrieve a lost arrow.
A man with a leg tied to his thigh escapes a buffalo king.
A small boy uses his incredible strength to defeat four brothers.
A woman is kidnapped by a cannibal, but her son is rescued by a Bone-Dwarf.
A man marries a bird-woman, who helps his family.

Challenges:

A young man is challenged to fast for a long time, and he faces the threat of starvation and losing his guardian spirit.
A young man is challenged to run a race against a powerful manito and risks his life.
A family is threatened by a cannibal.
A young man must travel to the underworld to retrieve a lost arrow.
A man with one leg tied to his thigh must escape a buffalo king.
A young man must find his true love.
A hunter is pursued by the spirit of a woman who he has wronged.
A young man must prove his worthiness to the Great Spirit.

Conflict:

Good vs. Evil: Many of these stories highlight the clash between good and evil, often embodied in the conflict between humans and supernatural creatures. This conflict is often resolved through courage, cunning, and perseverance. Grasshopper fights against the Manitoes. The Bone-Dwarf defeats the Weendigoes. The Bird Lover defeats the Mudjee Monedo.
Man vs. Nature: The conflict between man and nature is also explored in these stories. The Boy who Set a Snare for the Sun learns that he cannot control nature. Manabozho struggles to defeat the elements.
Inner Conflict: Many of the characters also face inner conflict. Strong Desire must overcome his fear. Maidwa is torn between his desire for the Red Swan and the need to help others. Wunzh struggles with the temptation to give up his fast.

Plot:

The Boy who Set a Snare for the Sun: The boy is alone and isolated after all humans are killed by animals. He becomes a great hunter, but is also angry at the sun. He tries to capture the sun and fails. He returns home and learns to accept his limitations.
Strong Desire and the Red Sorcerer: The son of Odshedoph is cowardly and afraid. He leaves home and vows to become brave. He disguises himself as a woman to trick the Red Head. He kills the Red Head and returns home a hero.
The Wonderful Exploits of Grasshopper: Grasshopper is a small but incredibly strong man. He travels around, encountering various creatures and changing his form. He becomes a leader of a village, but his exploits continue until he is forced to confront Manabozho. Grasshopper eventually defeats Manabozho and returns to his village as their leader.
White Feather and the Six Giants: White Feather is given a magic white feather that makes him a skilled hunter, warrior, and man. He defeats the six giants who have killed all of his relatives, but is tricked by the last giant. He is turned into a dog and rescued by two sisters. He reclaims his power and defeats the giant.
The Red Swan: Maidwa, the youngest of three brothers, is left alone after his parents’ death. He seeks the Red Swan and uses magic arrows to capture her. He is forced to marry the daughters of two chiefs and travel to the underworld to retrieve his lost arrows. He reclaims his power and returns to his brothers, but his journey is not over. He must face his destiny and his journey leads him to the Red Swan.

Point of view:

Third Person: The stories are told from a third person point of view. This allows the reader to understand the motivations and actions of all of the characters. It allows the reader to get a fuller picture of what is happening in the story.

How it’s written:

Descriptive: The stories are descriptive and rich in detail. The author provides vivid descriptions of the characters, settings, and events. For example, the description of the Red Swan is incredibly detailed, creating a vivid image for the reader.
Conversational: The author uses a conversational tone, making the stories feel more personal and engaging. The characters often speak to each other directly. For example, the dialogue between Manabozho and the wolf is very conversational.

Tone:

Playful: The stories often have a playful tone, making them fun and entertaining. The stories are full of humor and wit. The story of the Boy who Set a Snare for the Sun is very playful and humorous.
Magical: The tone of the stories is also magical. The stories are full of wonder and enchantment, which adds to their appeal. The story of the Red Swan is filled with magic and wonder.

Life choices:

The stories explore themes of making choices and the consequences of those choices. In the story of Strong Desire, the son is forced to make a choice between staying at home and being a coward or leaving and proving his bravery. In the story of Grasshopper, he is faced with making choices about how to use his powers. In the story of Sheem, the forsaken boy, he is faced with the choice to remain with his family or to flee.

Lessons:

The stories offer life lessons about courage, perseverance, kindness, and respect. They teach us the importance of helping others, overcoming challenges, and learning from our mistakes. The story of White Feather teaches about courage and perseverance. The story of The Two Jeebi teaches about kindness and compassion. The story of the Bone-Dwarf teaches about the importance of helping those in need.

Characters:

Manabozho: A giant who is always getting into trouble. He is mischievous, cunning, and powerful. He is often tricked by others, but he is always determined to succeed.
Grasshopper: A small but incredibly strong man. He is constantly seeking adventures. He is brave, resourceful, and playful.
White Feather: A young man who is destined to be a great hunter, warrior, and man. He is brave, determined, and skilled.
Maidwa: The youngest of three brothers who is determined to capture the Red Swan. He is brave, cunning, and resourceful.
Osseo: A poor old man who marries a beautiful young woman. He is kind, patient, and devout.
The Toad-Woman: A wicked witch who kidnaps children. She is cruel, greedy, and powerful.
The Bird Lover: A spirit who is able to transform into a bird. He is kind, gentle, and devoted to his love.

Themes:

The Power of Nature: The stories show the power of nature and the importance of respecting it.
The Importance of Family: The stories emphasize the importance of family and the bonds that unite people.
The Power of Kindness: The stories teach the importance of kindness and compassion.
The Value of Perseverance: Many of the characters succeed because they are persistent and determined.

Principles:

The stories are based on the principle that the Great Spirit is the creator and ruler of all things. They also emphasize the importance of being kind, respectful, and courageous.
The stories also teach the importance of being aware of the dangers that lurk in the world, such as evil spirits and wicked men.

Intentions:

The characters in the stories are motivated by a variety of intentions, such as:
- Seeking adventure
- Protecting their loved ones
- Gaining power
- Overcoming challenges
- Making the world a better place

Unique Vocabulary:

Mishosha: A wicked manito, often referred to as a “mischief maker”
Jeebi: A spirit, often a mischievous one
Manitowok: A sacred wood
Weendigo: A giant cannibal
Mudjee Monedo: A wicked manito

Anecdotes:

The story of Strong Desire and the Red Sorcerer highlights the dangers of being afraid and the importance of overcoming fear. This is a classic story about a young man who must prove his bravery.
The story of Grasshopper emphasizes the importance of using power responsibly. Grasshopper is given great strength and speed, and he uses it for good and for evil. The story teaches us that we must be careful to use our power for good.
The story of White Feather and the Six Giants shows the importance of perseverance and the dangers of being tricked. White Feather defeats the giants, but he is also tricked by the last giant. He eventually overcomes the giant, but he learns a valuable lesson about being careful of those who appear to be friends.

Ideas:

The stories put forth the idea that there are dangers in the world, but that there are also good spirits who can help us. The stories also suggest that we should be kind and compassionate to others.
The stories also express the idea that the world is a place of wonder and magic, where anything is possible.

Facts and findings:

The stories are not based on specific facts or findings. They are traditional stories that were passed down orally from generation to generation. They are filled with folklore, myths, and legends.

Statistics:

There are no statistics contained in the text.

Point of view:

The text is written from a third-person point of view, giving the reader an outside perspective on the events. This gives a more objective understanding of the story.

Perspective:

The stories provide a perspective on the world from the viewpoint of the American Indian. The stories reflect their beliefs, values, and way of life. They show us the importance of respect for nature, family, and elders.

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