--- title: Iktomi and the Ducks — Old Indian Legends · full text with trees description: Iktomi and the Ducks, «Old Indian Legends» by Zitkala-Sa: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: IKTOMI is a spider fairy. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Old Indian Legends](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/) / Iktomi and the Ducks # Iktomi and the Ducks Iktomi and the Ducks of «Old Indian Legends» by Zitkala-Sa: the whole text, 154 sentences and 1839 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself; 1 of them are in the tales treebank and were checked by a teacher model. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/1/) — IKTOMI is a spider fairy. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/2/) — He wears brown deerskin leggins with long soft fringes on either side, and tiny beaded moccasins on his feet. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/3/) — His long black hair is parted in the middle and wrapped with red, red bands. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/4/) — Each round braid hangs over a small brown ear and falls forward over his shoulders. - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/5/) — He even paints his funny face with red and yellow, and draws big black rings around his eyes. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/6/) — He wears a deerskin jacket, with bright colored beads sewed tightly on it. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/7/) — Iktomi dresses like a real Dakota brave. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/8/) — In truth, his paint and deerskins are the best part of him--if ever dress is part of man or fairy. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/9/) — Iktomi is a wily fellow. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/10/) — His hands are always kept in mischief. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/11/) — He prefers to spread a snare rather than to earn the smallest thing with honest hunting. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/12/) — Why! he laughs outright with wide open mouth when some simple folk are caught in a trap, sure and fast. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/13/) — He never dreams another lives so bright as he. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/14/) — Often his own conceit leads him hard against the common sense of simpler people. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/15/) — Poor Iktomi cannot help being a little imp. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/16/) — And so long as he is a naughty fairy, he cannot find a single friend. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/17/) — No one helps him when he is in trouble. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/18/) — No one really loves him. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/19/) — Those who come to admire his handsome beaded jacket and long fringed leggins soon go away sick and tired of his vain, vain words and heartless laughter. - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/20/) — Thus Iktomi lives alone in a cone-shaped wigwam upon the plain. - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/21/) — One day he sat hungry within his teepee. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/22/) — Suddenly he rushed out, dragging after him his blanket. - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/23/) — Quickly spreading it on the ground, he tore up dry tall grass with both his hands and tossed it fast into the blanket. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/24/) — Tying all the four corners together in a knot, he threw the light bundle of grass over his shoulder. - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/25/) — Snatching up a slender willow stick with his free left hand, he started off with a hop and a leap. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/26/) — From side to side bounced the bundle on his back, as he ran light-footed over the uneven ground. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/27/) — Soon he came to the edge of the great level land. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/28/) — On the hilltop he paused for breath. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/29/) — With wicked smacks of his dry parched lips, as if tasting some tender meat, he looked straight into space toward the marshy river bottom. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/30/) — With a thin palm shading his eyes from the western sun, he peered far away into the lowlands, munching his own cheeks all the while. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/31/) — “Ah-ha!” grunted he, satisfied with what he saw. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/32/) — A group of wild ducks were dancing and feasting in the marshes. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/33/) — With wings outspread, tip to tip, they moved up and down in a large circle. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/34/) — Within the ring, around a small drum, sat the chosen singers, nodding their heads and blinking their eyes. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/35/) — They sang in unison a merry dance-song, and beat a lively tattoo on the drum. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/36/) — Following a winding footpath near by, came a bent figure of a Dakota brave. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/37/) — He bore on his back a very large bundle. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/38/) — With a willow cane he propped himself up as he staggered along beneath his burden. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/39/) — “Ho! who is there?” called out a curious old duck, still bobbing up and down in the circular dance. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/40/) — Hereupon the drummers stretched their necks till they strangled their song for a look at the stranger passing by. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/41/) — “Ho, Iktomi! - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/42/) — Old fellow, pray tell us what you carry in your blanket. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/43/) — Do not hurry off! - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/44/) — Stop! halt!” urged one of the singers. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/45/) — “Stop! stay! - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/46/) — Show us what is in your blanket!” cried out other voices. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/47/) — “My friends, I must not spoil your dance. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/48/) — Oh, you would not care to see if you only knew what is in my blanket. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/49/) — Sing on! dance on! - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/50/) — I must not show you what I carry on my back,” answered Iktomi, nudging his own sides with his elbows. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/51/) — This reply broke up the ring entirely. - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/52/) — Now all the ducks crowded about Iktomi. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/53/) — “We must see what you carry! - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/54/) — We must know what is in your blanket!” they shouted in both his ears. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/55/) — Some even brushed their wings against the mysterious bundle. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/56/) — Nudging himself again, wily Iktomi said, “My friends, 't is only a pack of songs I carry in my blanket.” - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/57/) — “Oh, then let us hear your songs!” cried the curious ducks. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/58/) — At length Iktomi consented to sing his songs. - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/59/) — With delight all the ducks flapped their wings and cried together, “Hoye! hoye!” - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/60/) — Iktomi, with great care, laid down his bundle on the ground. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/61/) — “I will build first a round straw house, for I never sing my songs in the open air,” said he. — checked by a teacher - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/62/) — Quickly he bent green willow sticks, planting both ends of each pole into the earth. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/63/) — These he covered thick with reeds and grasses. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/64/) — Soon the straw hut was ready. - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/65/) — One by one the fat ducks waddled in through a small opening, which was the only entrance way. - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/66/) — Beside the door Iktomi stood smiling, as the ducks, eyeing his bundle of songs, strutted into the hut. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/67/) — In a strange low voice Iktomi began his queer old tunes. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/68/) — All the ducks sat round-eyed in a circle about the mysterious singer. - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/69/) — It was dim in that straw hut, for Iktomi had not forgot to cover up the small entrance way. - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/70/) — All of a sudden his song burst into full voice. - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/71/) — As the startled ducks sat uneasily on the ground, Iktomi changed his tune into a minor strain. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/72/) — These were the words he sang: - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/73/) — “Istokmus wacipo, tuwayatunwanpi kinhan ista nisasapi kta,” which is, “With eyes closed you must dance. - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/74/) — He who dares to open his eyes, forever red eyes shall have.” - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/75/) — Up rose the circle of seated ducks and holding their wings close against their sides began to dance to the rhythm of Iktomi's song and drum. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/76/) — With eyes closed they did dance! - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/77/) — Iktomi ceased to beat his drum. - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/78/) — He began to sing louder and faster. - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/79/) — He seemed to be moving about in the center of the ring. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/80/) — No duck dared blink a wink. - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/81/) — Each one shut his eyes very tight and danced even harder. - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/82/) — Up and down! - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/83/) — Shifting to the right of them they hopped round and round in that blind dance. - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/84/) — It was a difficult dance for the curious folk. - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/85/) — At length one of the dancers could close his eyes no longer! - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/86/) — It was a Skiska who peeped the least tiny blink at Iktomi within the center of the circle. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/87/) — “Oh! oh!” squawked he in awful terror! - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/88/) — “Run! fly! - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/89/) — Iktomi is twisting your heads and breaking your necks! - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/90/) — Run out and fly! fly!” he cried. - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/91/) — Hereupon the ducks opened their eyes. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/92/) — There beside Iktomi's bundle of songs lay half of their crowd--flat on their backs. - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/93/) — Out they flew through the opening Skiska had made as he rushed forth with his alarm. - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/94/) — But as they soared high into the blue sky they cried to one another: “Oh! your eyes are red-red!” - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/95/) — “And yours are red-red!” - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/96/) — For the warning words of the magic minor strain had proven true. - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/97/) — “Ah-ha!” laughed Iktomi, untying the four corners of his blanket, “I shall sit no more hungry within my dwelling.” - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/98/) — Homeward he trudged along with nice fat ducks in his blanket. - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/99/) — He left the little straw hut for the rains and winds to pull down. - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/100/) — Having reached his own teepee on the high level lands, Iktomi kindled a large fire out of doors. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/2/page/2/) - ← previous: [Old Indian Legends](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/1/) - next →: [Iktomi's Blanket](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/3/) - ↑ back to [Old Indian Legends](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/)