
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
INTRODUCTION THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INDIAN LEGENDS
ILLUSTRATIONS
A LITTLE TALK ABOUT INDIANS
PIMA TALES - CHILDREN OF THE CLOUD
CHEROKEE TALES - THE FIRST FIRE
CHOCTAW STORIES - WHY POSSUM HAS A LARGE MOUTH
IROQUOIS TALES - THE THUNDERERS
TSIMSHIAN TALES - HOW THE DAYLIGHT CAME
ALASKAN STORIES - THE MAN WHO ENTERTAINED BEARS
These retellings gather the ancient fire‑side tales once whispered to children across the continent, bringing animal fables and heroic deeds to a modern ear. The stories treat every creature, rock and tree as alive with spirit, using humor, poetry and subtle moral lessons to shape a listener’s sense of nature and responsibility. Each legend reflects the particular landscape—plains, forests, coastlines—of the tribe from which it originated, offering a quiet glimpse into diverse worldviews.
Beyond the simple charm of talking animals, the collection introduces human protagonists who mingle with the supernatural, confronting pride, kindness, and the consequences of misdeeds. The narratives celebrate wit, courage and reverence, while gently revealing the philosophical thread that underpins many Native cultures. Listeners will find a tapestry of voices that both entertain and invite thoughtful reflection on the connections between people, the land, and the unseen forces that bind them.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (112K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by K Nordquist, Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2011-04-19
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1863–1953
A child poetry prodigy who grew into a teacher, reformer, and writer, she built a remarkable career around literature and Native education. Her life joined New England literary culture with the history of the Dakota and Sioux communities she worked alongside.
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