To Book List

To Story List

To Main Page


YASHPEH
International Folktales Collection

To Next Story

To Previous Story

Story No. 2181


Spell Said by a Girl Desirous of Getting a Husband

Book Name:

Yana Texts

Tradition: American Indian, Yana

S*uwā'![310] May you think about me to yourself! May you turn back to look! Would that I might stand before his face! I just cry to myself. Would that I might see him every day! I do just as you do.[311] Sometimes I dream of him, and I rise when it is daylight, and I look about. Now, as I see him, my heart flutters. I look at him without raising my eyes. He gives me trinkets, and I take them, and I wear them for some time, until they are worn out.

Comments:

[310] Spells and more or less formulaic utterances in general are introduced by S*uwā', of unknown, if any, significance.

[311] The implication is not clear. Perhaps it means, "May you love me as I love you!"

Abstract:

To Next Story

To Previous Story