Raven and Owl

Source
The Jessup North Pacific Expedition
edited by Franz Boas
Memoir of the American Museum
of Natural History – New York
Volume VIII
1. Chukchee Mythology
by Waldemar Bogoras
Leiden & New York, 1910

---

► Themes of the story

Trickster: Raven embodies the trickster archetype, using cunning and bold assertions in an attempt to outwit Owl and claim the hare.

Good vs. Evil: The narrative presents a moral dichotomy, with Raven’s deceit and Fox’s aggression contrasting with Owl’s initial rightful claim, reflecting the struggle between opposing forces.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts lessons about the consequences of deceit and the dynamics of power, illustrating that boastfulness and trickery may lead to downfall.

► From the same Region or People

• North Asia
  • Chukchee Lore

Learn more about the Chukchee people

---

Told by Raa’nau, a Maritime Chukchee man, in the village of Mi’s-qan, April, 1901.

Raven and Owl fought for a hare. Owl caught Raven by the throat with one of his claws. Raven cries, “Don’t you dare to eat my hare! I wish to eat it. I am the hunter,” because he is so fond of big talking. Owl was silent, but he clutched Raven’s throat so tightly that Raven gave way. Owl took the hare and wanted to eat it.

Then a Fox assaulted him. The Fox cried, “I am a great hunter! I kill everything, even the mouse and the spermophylus.” Owl was silent, and wanted to eat the hare. They fought. Fox bit Owl’s back. He was the stronger of the two. Owl desisted and flew up. From mere shame he quite refused to perch again on that place.

The silent one also was not a victor.

The end.