Story Summary
Discover the legend of Why Bear Has a Stumpy Tail. Learn how a clever Fox tricked a greedy Bear into losing his long, bushy tail on a cold, frozen winter lake.
Long ago, Bear possessed a long, thick, and beautiful tail that he wagged with great pride. One winter morning, he came across Fox, who was trotting along with a string of stolen fish. When Bear asked how he had caught so many, the trickster Fox decided to play a prank. 'It is simple,' Fox whispered. 'Go to the frozen lake, cut a hole in the ice, and dangle your tail in the water. The fish will bite, but you must sit perfectly still until I tell you to pull.' Bear followed the instructions, sitting for hours as the ice thickened around him. Finally, Fox shouted, 'Now, Bear! Pull!' Bear lunged forward with all his might, but his tail was frozen fast. With a sharp snap, his beautiful tail broke off, leaving him with only the short, dark stump bears carry to this day.
The Moral
Do not let greed cloud your judgment, and be wary of advice from those who have a reputation for trickery.
“Patience is a virtue, but even a king can be fooled by a hungry belly and a clever lie.”
Fun Fact
This story is a classic example of a 'pourquoi' tale, a type of myth that explains the origins of natural phenomena or animal characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Why Bear Has a Stumpy Tail?
The moral is to avoid being overly greedy and to think critically about the advice of others. It teaches that trusting a known trickster can lead to unfortunate consequences.
Which Native American tribes tell this story?
Variants of this legend are told by the Iroquois, Cherokee, and many other tribes. It is a classic 'pourquoi' tale used to explain the physical traits of animals.
How did the Fox trick the Bear?
The Fox convinced the Bear that he could catch fish by using his tail as a fishing line in a frozen lake. He told the Bear to wait until the tail felt heavy, which was actually the ice freezing around it.
Why did the Bear's tail fall off?
The Bear sat for so long that the water in the fishing hole froze solid around his tail. When he tried to jump up to catch the 'fish,' the frozen tail snapped off.
Is this story found in other cultures?
Yes, this specific plot is a popular motif in world folklore, appearing in Scandinavian, European, and African stories with different animals playing the roles.
What kind of story is Why Bear Has a Stumpy Tail?
It is a 'pourquoi' story, which is a fictional narrative that explains why certain things in nature are the way they are, such as an animal's appearance.
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