--- title: Iktomi and the Muskrat — Old Indian Legends · full text with trees description: Iktomi and the Muskrat, «Old Indian Legends» by Zitkala-Sa: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: BESIDE a white lake, beneath a large grown willow tree, sat Iktomi on the bare ground. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/) [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 Muskrat # Iktomi and the Muskrat Iktomi and the Muskrat of «Old Indian Legends» by Zitkala-Sa: the whole text, 82 sentences and 1021 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](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/1/) — BESIDE a white lake, beneath a large grown willow tree, sat Iktomi on the bare ground. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/2/) — The heap of smouldering ashes told of a recent open fire. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/3/) — With ankles crossed together around a pot of soup, Iktomi bent over some delicious boiled fish. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/4/) — Fast he dipped his black horn spoon into the soup, for he was ravenous. - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/5/) — Iktomi had no regular meal times. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/6/) — Often when he was hungry he went without food. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/7/) — Well hid between the lake and the wild rice, he looked nowhere save into the pot of fish. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/8/) — Not knowing when the next meal would be, he meant to eat enough now to last some time. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/9/) — “How, how, my friend!” said a voice out of the wild rice. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/10/) — Iktomi started. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/11/) — He almost choked with his soup. — checked by a teacher - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/12/) — He peered through the long reeds from where he sat with his long horn spoon in mid-air. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/13/) — “How, my friend!” said the voice again, this time close at his side. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/14/) — Iktomi turned and there stood a dripping muskrat who had just come out of the lake. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/15/) — “Oh, it is my friend who startled me. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/16/) — I wondered if among the wild rice some spirit voice was talking. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/17/) — How, how, my friend!” said Iktomi. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/18/) — The muskrat stood smiling. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/19/) — On his lips hung a ready “Yes, my friend,” when Iktomi would ask, “My friend, will you sit down beside me and share my food?” - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/20/) — That was the custom of the plains people. - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/21/) — Yet Iktomi sat silent. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/22/) — He hummed an old dance-song and beat gently on the edge of the pot with his buffalo-horn spoon. - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/23/) — The muskrat began to feel awkward before such lack of hospitality and wished himself under water. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/24/) — After many heart throbs Iktomi stopped drumming with his horn ladle, and looking upward into the muskrat's face, he said: - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/25/) — “My friend, let us run a race to see who shall win this pot of fish. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/26/) — If I win, I shall not need to share it with you. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/27/) — If you win, you shall have half of it.” - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/28/) — Springing to his feet, Iktomi began at once to tighten the belt about his waist. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/29/) — “My friend Ikto, I cannot run a race with you! - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/30/) — I am not a swift runner, and you are nimble as a deer. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/31/) — We shall not run any race together,” answered the hungry muskrat. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/32/) — For a moment Iktomi stood with a hand on his long protruding chin. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/33/) — His eyes were fixed upon something in the air. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/34/) — The muskrat looked out of the corners of his eyes without moving his head. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/35/) — He watched the wily Iktomi concocting a plot. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/36/) — “Yes, yes,” said Iktomi, suddenly turning his gaze upon the unwelcome visitor; “I shall carry a large stone on my back. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/37/) — That will slacken my usual speed; and the race will be a fair one.” - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/38/) — Saying this he laid a firm hand upon the muskrat's shoulder and started off along the edge of the lake. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/39/) — When they reached the opposite side Iktomi pried about in search of a heavy stone. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/40/) — He found one half-buried in the shallow water. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/41/) — Pulling it out upon dry land, he wrapped it in his blanket. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/42/) — “Now, my friend, you shall run on the left side of the lake, I on the other. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/43/) — The race is for the boiled fish in yonder kettle!” said Iktomi. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/44/) — The muskrat helped to lift the heavy stone upon Iktomi's back. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/45/) — Then they parted. - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/46/) — Each took a narrow path through the tall reeds fringing the shore. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/47/) — Iktomi found his load a heavy one. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/48/) — Perspiration hung like beads on his brow. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/49/) — His chest heaved hard and fast. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/50/) — He looked across the lake to see how far the muskrat had gone, but nowhere did he see any sign of him. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/51/) — “Well, he is running low under the wild rice!” said he. - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/52/) — Yet as he scanned the tall grasses on the lake shore, he saw not one stir as if to make way for the runner. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/53/) — “Ah, has he gone so fast ahead that the disturbed grasses in his trail have quieted again?” exclaimed Iktomi. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/54/) — With that thought he quickly dropped the heavy stone. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/55/) — “No more of this!” said he, patting his chest with both hands. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/56/) — Off with a springing bound, he ran swiftly toward the goal. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/57/) — Tufts of reeds and grass fell flat under his feet. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/58/) — Hardly had they raised their heads when Iktomi was many paces gone. - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/59/) — Soon he reached the heap of cold ashes. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/60/) — Iktomi halted stiff as if he had struck an invisible cliff. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/61/) — His black eyes showed a ring of white about them as he stared at the empty ground. - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/62/) — There was no pot of boiled fish! - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/63/) — There was no water-man in sight! - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/64/) — “Oh, if only I had shared my food like a real Dakota, I would not have lost it all! - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/65/) — Why did I not know the muskrat would run through the water? - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/66/) — He swims faster than I could ever run! - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/67/) — That is what he has done. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/68/) — He has laughed at me for carrying a weight on my back while he shot hither like an arrow!” - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/69/) — Crying thus to himself, Iktomi stepped to the water's brink. - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/70/) — He stooped forward with a hand on each bent knee and peeped far into the deep water. - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/71/) — “There!” he exclaimed, “I see you, my friend, sitting with your ankles wound around my little pot of fish! - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/72/) — My friend, I am hungry. - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/73/) — Give me a bone!” - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/74/) — “Ha! ha! ha!” laughed the water-man, the muskrat. - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/75/) — The sound did not rise up out of the lake, for it came down from overhead. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/76/) — With his hands still on his knees, Iktomi turned his face upward into the great willow tree. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/77/) — Opening wide his mouth he begged, “My friend, my friend, give me a bone to gnaw!” - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/78/) — “Ha! ha!” laughed the muskrat, and leaning over the limb he sat upon, he let fall a small sharp bone which dropped right into Iktomi's throat. - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/79/) — Iktomi almost choked to death before he could get it out. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/80/) — In the tree the muskrat sat laughing loud. - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/81/) — “Next time, say to a visiting friend, 'Be seated beside me, my friend. - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/82/) — Let me share with you my food.'” - ← previous: [Iktomi's Blanket](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/3/) - next →: [Iktomi and the Coyote](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/) - ↑ back to [Old Indian Legends](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/)