Story Summary
Discover the legend of How Chipmunk Got His Stripes, a Native American tale about a boastful bear, a clever squirrel, and the marks of a narrow escape.
In the time when animals could talk, Bear was very proud. He boasted to everyone that he was the most powerful creature in the forest. One morning, a small Squirrel challenged him: 'If you are so powerful, can you stop the sun from rising?' Bear roared, 'I am the strongest! I can stop the sun!' He stood facing the east and commanded the sun to stay down. But as the minutes passed, the sun rose anyway, flooding the woods with golden light. Squirrel began to tease Bear, laughing and dancing because the great Bear had failed. Furious at being mocked, Bear lunged at Squirrel with his massive paw. Squirrel was fast and dove for his burrow, but Bear’s claws raked across his back just as he slipped underground. Three long, pale scars were left behind. From that day on, Squirrel became the Chipmunk, wearing the stripes of his narrow escape as a permanent reminder never to mock those who have failed.
The Moral
It is unwise to brag about power you do not have, and equally foolish to mock others for their failures.
“The sun always rises, no matter how loud the bear roars.”
Fun Fact
This story is a classic example of a 'pourquoi tale,' a cross-cultural genre of folklore that explains the origins of animal traits or natural phenomena.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of How Chipmunk Got His Stripes?
The moral is that one should not boast about powers they do not possess, nor should they mock others for their failures. Teasing can provoke anger and lead to unintended consequences.
Which Native American tribe told the story of the chipmunk's stripes?
While variations exist across many cultures, this story is most frequently attributed to the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) and Abenaki peoples of the Northeast.
Why did Bear get angry at Squirrel?
Bear was humiliated because he failed to stop the sun from rising as he had bragged he could. Squirrel made the situation worse by loudly teasing and laughing at Bear's public failure.
What does this story explain about nature?
This is a 'pourquoi' or origin story that explains the physical appearance of chipmunks. It suggests their stripes are actually the scars from a bear's claws.
How did the squirrel survive the bear's attack?
The squirrel was agile and small enough to dart into a narrow hole in the ground, but he wasn't quite fast enough to avoid being scratched by the bear's claws.
What is the significance of the sun in the story?
The sun represents a force of nature that no creature, no matter how powerful, can control. It serves as the ultimate reality check for Bear's ego.
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