Trickster tales are close to my heart. Whether they are foxes, rabbits, coyotes, crows or men, tricksters are both rascals and generous friends. Their tales teach us the value of patience, tolerance and respect while tickling our funny bones.
Take a look at what some favorite Native American tricksters do to get a full belly and a warm bed:
Giggle your way through Chukfi Rabbit's Big, Bad Bellyache, when lazy Chukfi Rabbit behaves badly when asked to help Possum build a new house and ends up with some seriously bad breath.
Then try Coyote Steals the Blanket where Coyote tries to trick a desert rock for his own benefit. He is a little nicer in How Coyote Stole the Summer, using his tricks to help all the animals.
With the good of all the animals, including mankind, in mind Raven also plays a trick – his is on the Sky Chief in Raven.
Comic book fans will love Trickster for its amazing comic adaptations of 20 traditional Native American tales. My favorite retellings are “How Wildcat Caught a Turkey” – perfect for this time of the year – and “Rabbit’s Choctaw Tail Tale" – what a way to catch a fish!
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