Why the Bear Has a Short Tail (Native American Folklore)

Long ago, in the time when animals could talk and spirits walked freely among the people, the Bear was known for his long, magnificent tail. It was thick and bushy, and he was very proud of it. He would strut about, swishing his tail back and forth, admiring its beauty in every reflection.

One winter, as the snow lay thick upon the ground, the Bear was walking along a frozen river. He saw a Fox fishing through a hole in the ice, pulling out fish after fish. The Bear was hungry and curious.

"Friend Fox," the Bear said, "how do you catch so many fish?"

The Fox, who was a clever trickster, decided to play a joke on the Bear. "It's simple, Brother Bear," he replied. "I use my tail. I dip it into the water, and the fish bite onto it. When it feels heavy, I pull it out, and there's a fish!"

The Bear, believing the Fox, was eager to try this method. He found a good spot on the ice, dipped his long, beautiful tail into the freezing water, and waited.

The water was so cold that soon, the Bear's tail began to freeze. But he remembered the Fox's words and waited patiently, thinking of the many fish he would catch. The ice formed around his tail, trapping it fast.

As the sun began to set, the Bear could no longer bear the cold. He tried to pull his tail out of the water, but it was frozen solid. He pulled harder and harder, but the ice held firm. Finally, with a mighty tug, the Bear pulled with all his strength.

With a loud crack, the ice broke, and the Bear stumbled backward. He looked behind him and saw, to his horror, that his long, magnificent tail had broken off, leaving him with only a short, stubby tail.

The Fox, who had been watching from a distance, laughed at the Bear's misfortune. The Bear, ashamed and angry, chased after the Fox, but the Fox was too quick and disappeared into the forest.

From that day on, the Bear has had a short tail, a reminder of his foolishness and the Fox's trickery. And that is why, according to this story, bears have short tails to this day.

Cultural Reflection

This humorous tale explains a physical characteristic of the bear through a story of trickery and foolish pride. It highlights the importance of wisdom and not being easily deceived. The story also reflects the relationship between the Bear and the Fox in many Native American traditions, where the Fox often plays the role of the clever trickster. The Bear's lost tail serves as a cautionary reminder against vanity and gullibility.