Reading Diary B: Cherokee Myths

READING B:

1. The Terrapin's Escape from the Wolves

It’s always fascinating to read tales of our things came to be. In this story the segments of a turtles carapace formed when he was dashed upon a rock. This is similar to the possum story in the first part of the unit.

2. The Ball Game of the Birds and Animals

I really enjoyed the part about the bat and birds coming together to make him wings.  It’s an interesting connection between birds and mammals.

3. The Race Between the Crane and the Hummingbird

I feel really sorry for the crane. He won fair and square. Awkward people need love too.

4. The Owl Gets Married

Lying for the sake of finding wife a wife seems to be a common theme in these two stories

5. The Huhu Gets Married

I’m guessing that a Huhu is an owl of some type?

6. The Uktena and the Ulûñsû'tï

7. Âgän-uni'tsï's Search For the Uktena

A snake growing out of his head…

All these stories about the Uktena make me wonder what could have inspired this story.  A diamond in his head.

8. The Red Man and the Uktena

(horned serpent petroglyph)

9. The Hunter and the Uksu'hï

10. The Ustû'tlï

11. The Snake Boy / The Snake Man

12. The Rattlesnake's Vengeance

13. The Bullfrog Lover

I've often thought a bullfrog's song sounds like repeated phrases. It's interesting how the bullfrog plays a dangerous role in these stories. I've never considered them ominous.