The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons in Living

Story Summary: “The Story of the Trickster’s Song”

Iktomi wakes up very hungry. He is not a good hunter, so he gets all his food through trickery. Hungry, he comes upon a pond with ducks. He brings a load of wood with him to carry out his trick. He pretends to be concentrating on his bundle of wood so the ducks, unused to this behavior from him, call to him.

He tells the ducks that he isn’t carrying wood but is instead carrying songs to a celebration across the river. He says he cannot stay, but the ducks clamor to hear a song. He takes out his sticks and pretends to be choosing a song. He tells them that while he is singing, they must keep their eyes closed. If they open them while he is singing, their eyes will turn red.

While he is singing and the ducks are dancing, engrossed in his song with their eyes shut, he clubs several to death. One opens his eyes, and the remaining ducks fly away. Their eyes turn red, and they still fly today, looking out for Iktomi.

Story Summary: “Seeing the Way Things Are”

An easterner moved to the west and lived in a house at the base of a mountain.