Reading Notes Week 10: Tejas Legends Part B

How Sickness Entered The World
Two concepts stood out to me during this story. The premise of a world free from sickness, prior to the snake hatching eggs of woe for humans, is very much in keeping with the idea of a paradise lost scenario. Sickness, or sin, resulted as a consequence from the actions of a single entity. (Pandora and Eve spring to mind), and a serpent was ultimately responsible. The snake was pivotal in several of the Tejas Indian legends, but never truly similar with the Old World concepts of Satan.

Why The Irises Hold Hands
This was a haunting story whose theme is an echo of both the honeysuckle origin and the Old Woolly Bird story, wherein each of the people braced for death are instead transformed and given eternal forms. I'm strongly reminded of grecian constellation stories by this, and the overwhelming number of transformants could be a great story too. A world without humans because everyone died or was transformed to another form.

Paisano, Hater Of The Rattlesnake
Eternal war between species, finding and eating their young: this was hardcore and still reminded me of old Looney Tunes episodes. A story of a parent raising their child up with malice and prejudice towards the other species would be interesting, and there could even be a reconciliation between the feuding ancestors at some point.

Roadrunner vs. Rattlesnake. Gyfcat

Why Dog's Ears Flop
This was maybe my favorite, and could make for a great sequel to the Dog story from last week detailing Why Dogs Eat Dead Things. Dog is foiled again by his sneaky coyote cousins, doomed forever to a soiled reputation. I think the Wild Dog from Africa and the Tamed Dog from America might have an encounter. I am curious about legends regarding the origin of coyotes or wolves.

Story source: When the Storm God Rides: Tejas and Other Indian Legends retold by Florence Stratton and illustrated by Berniece Burrough (1936)

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