YASHPEH
International Folktales Collection
The Two Old Men |
Myths of the Cherokee |
Tradition: Indian Cherokee |
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Two old men went hunting. One had an eye drawn down and was called Uk-kwûnägi'ta, "Eye-drawn-down." The other had an arm twisted out of shape and was called Uk-ku'sûñtsûtï, "Bent-bow-shape." They killed a deer and cooked the meat in a pot. The second old man dipped a piece of bread into the soup and smacked his lips as he ate it. "Is it good?" said the first old man. Said the other, "Hayû'! uk-kwûnägi'stï – Yes, sir! It will draw down one's eye." Thought the first old man to himself, "He means me." So he dipped a piece of bread into the pot, and smacked his lips as he tasted it. "Do you find it good?" said the other old man. Said his comrade, "Hayû! uk-ku'sûñtsûtëtï' – Yes, sir! It will twist up one's arm." Thought the second old man, "He means me"; so he got very angry and struck the first old man, and then they fought until each killed the other. |
[1] These short stories (112-115) are fairly representative of Cherokee humor. Each was heard repeatedly from several informants, both east and west. |
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