--- title: The Badger and the Bear — Old Indian Legends · full text with trees · page 2 description: The Badger and the Bear, «Old Indian Legends» by Zitkala-Sa: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: ON the edge of a forest there lived a large family of badgers. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/page/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/) / The Badger and the Bear # The Badger and the Bear · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/) **2** - [101](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/101/) — There was one, however, who did not even smile. - [102](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/102/) — He was the youngest cub. - [103](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/103/) — His fur coat was not as black and glossy as those his elders wore. - [104](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/104/) — The hair was dry and dingy. - [105](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/105/) — It looked much more like kinky wool. - [106](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/106/) — He was the ugly cub. - [107](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/107/) — Poor little baby bear! he had always been laughed at by his older brothers. - [108](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/108/) — He could not help being himself. - [109](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/109/) — He could not change the differences between himself and his brothers. - [110](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/110/) — Thus again, though the rest laughed aloud at the badger's fall, he did not see the joke. - [111](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/111/) — His face was long and earnest. - [112](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/112/) — In his heart he was sad to see the badgers crying and starving. - [113](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/113/) — In his breast spread a burning desire to share his food with them. - [114](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/114/) — “I shall not ask my father for meat to give away. - [115](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/115/) — He would say 'No!' - [116](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/116/) — Then my brothers would laugh at me,” said the ugly baby bear to himself. - [117](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/117/) — In an instant, as if his good intention had passed from him, he was singing happily and skipping around his father at work. - [118](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/118/) — Singing in his small high voice and dragging his feet in long strides after him, as if a prankish spirit oozed out from his heels, he strayed off through the tall grass. - [119](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/119/) — He was ambling toward the small round hut. - [120](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/120/) — When directly in front of the entrance way, he made a quick side kick with his left hind leg. - [121](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/121/) — Lo! there fell into the badger's hut a piece of fresh meat. - [122](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/122/) — It was tough meat, full of sinews, yet it was the only piece he could take without his father's notice. - [123](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/123/) — Thus having given meat to the hungry badgers, the ugly baby bear ran quickly away to his father again. - [124](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/124/) — On the following day the father badger came back once more. - [125](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/125/) — He stood watching the big bear cutting thin slices of meat. - [126](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/126/) — “Give--” he began, when the bear turning upon him with a growl, thrust him cruelly aside. - [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/127/) — The badger fell on his hands. - [128](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/128/) — He fell where the grass was wet with the blood of the newly carved buffalo. - [129](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/129/) — His keen starving eyes caught sight of a little red clot lying bright upon the green. - [130](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/130/) — Looking fearfully toward the bear and seeing his head was turned away, he snatched up the small thick blood. - [131](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/131/) — Underneath his girdled blanket he hid it in his hand. - [132](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/132/) — On his return to his family, he said within himself: “I'll pray the Great Spirit to bless it.” - [133](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/133/) — Thus he built a small round lodge. - [134](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/134/) — Sprinkling water upon the heated heap of sacred stones within, he made ready to purge his body. - [135](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/135/) — “The buffalo blood, too, must be purified before I ask a blessing upon it,” thought the badger. - [136](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/136/) — He carried it into the sacred vapor lodge. - [137](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/137/) — After placing it near the sacred stones, he sat down beside it. - [138](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/138/) — After a long silence, he muttered: “Great Spirit, bless this little buffalo blood.” - [139](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/139/) — Then he arose, and with a quiet dignity stepped out of the lodge. - [140](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/140/) — Close behind him some one followed. - [141](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/141/) — The badger turned to look over his shoulder and to his great joy he beheld a Dakota brave in handsome buckskins. - [142](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/142/) — In his hand he carried a magic arrow. - [143](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/143/) — Across his back dangled a long fringed quiver. - [144](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/144/) — In answer to the badger's prayer, the avenger had sprung from out the red globules. - [145](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/145/) — “My son!” exclaimed the badger with extended right hand. - [146](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/146/) — “How, father,” replied the brave; “I am your avenger!” - [147](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/147/) — Immediately the badger told the sad story of his hungry little ones and the stingy bear. - [148](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/148/) — Listening closely the young man stood looking steadily upon the ground. - [149](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/149/) — At length the father badger moved away. - [150](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/150/) — “Where?” queried the avenger. - [151](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/151/) — “My son, we have no food. - [152](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/152/) — I am going again to beg for meat,” answered the badger. - [153](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/153/) — “Then I go with you,” replied the young brave. - [154](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/154/) — This made the old badger happy. - [155](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/155/) — He was proud of his son. - [156](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/156/) — He was delighted to be called “father” by the first human creature. - [157](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/157/) — The bear saw the badger coming in the distance. - [158](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/158/) — He narrowed his eyes at the tall stranger walking beside him. - [159](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/159/) — He spied the arrow. - [160](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/160/) — At once he guessed it was the avenger of whom he had heard long, long ago. - [161](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/161/) — As they approached, the bear stood erect with a hand on his thigh. - [162](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/162/) — He smiled upon them. - [163](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/163/) — “How, badger, my friend! - [164](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/164/) — Here is my knife. - [165](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/165/) — Cut your favorite pieces from the deer,” said he, holding out a long thin blade. - [166](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/166/) — “How!” said the badger eagerly. - [167](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/167/) — He wondered what had inspired the big bear to such a generous deed. - [168](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/168/) — The young avenger waited till the badger took the long knife in his hand. - [169](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/169/) — Gazing full into the black bear's face, he said: “I come to do justice. - [170](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/170/) — You have returned only a knife to my poor father. — checked by a teacher - [171](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/171/) — Now return to him his dwelling.” - [172](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/172/) — His voice was deep and powerful. - [173](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/173/) — In his black eyes burned a steady fire. - [174](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/174/) — The long strong teeth of the bear rattled against each other, and his shaggy body shook with fear. - [175](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/175/) — “Ahow!” cried he, as if he had been shot. - [176](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/176/) — Running into the dwelling he gasped, breathless and trembling, “Come out, all of you! — checked by a teacher - [177](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/177/) — This is the badger's dwelling. - [178](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/178/) — We must flee to the forest for fear of the avenger who carries the magic arrow.” - [179](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/179/) — Out they hurried, all the bears, and disappeared into the woods. - [180](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/180/) — Singing and laughing, the badgers returned to their own dwelling. - [181](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/181/) — Then the avenger left them. - [182](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/182/) — “I go,” said he in parting, “over the earth.” [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/7/) **2** - ← previous: [Iktomi and the Fawn](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/6/) - 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