Oban's Myths & Legends
How To Scare A Bear (continued)
Native American - Tewa Legend
retold by Oban
As soon as Brown Bear sat down Little Rabbit hopped through the trees to where he had hidden the horse bell.
He put it around his neck, began hopping to make the bell clang, and then headed back, singing a song:
Ah nana-na ---Ah nana-na ---
Is cha-nay – Cha nana-ne ---
Coo ha ya
Clang!! Clang!! Clang!!
Brown Bear heard the noise and was scared. He stood up, shaking and said to himself “That scary sound can’t be Little Rabbit!”
As he came closer, Little Rabbit sang his song and rang the bell as hard as he could.
Clang!! Clang!! Clang!!
Ah nana na – Ah nana na – Coo ha ya!
This really scared Brown Bear. He jumped out of the circle and started to run.
Little Rabbit cried out loudly “I win! I win! You moved!” as he hopped into the circle.
Brown Bear shambled back and stared at Little Rabbit. “You really scared me,” he growled. “I agree I left the circle, and you win.”
He took off his red necklace with a sigh and handed it to Little Rabbit.
That’s why if you see a rabbit around Tewa country with red patches in his neck fur, you can be sure he is descended from the brave Little Rabbit who scared Brown Bear and won his red necklace.
The End
