Mosquito returns home swollen with blood. When Woodworm inquires about its source, Mosquito claims to extract it from trees. Following this advice, Woodworm begins boring into wood, seeking blood. The story suggests that if Mosquito had admitted to feeding on human blood, Woodworm might have targeted humans instead.
Source:
Tahltan Tales
by James A. Teit
The American Folklore Society
Journal of American Folklore
Vol.32, No.124, pp.198-250
April-June, 1917
Vol.34, No.133, pp.223-253
July-September, 1921
Vol.34, No.134, pp.335-356
October-December, 1921
► Themes of the story
Origin of Things: The story provides an explanation for the woodworm’s behavior of boring into wood.
Cunning and Deception: The tale involves Mosquito’s deceit, leading Woodworm to act based on false information.
Moral Lessons: The story imparts a lesson about the consequences of deception and the importance of truthfulness.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Tahltan people
Mosquito and Woodworm lived together.
The latter saw that Mosquito, when he came home, was swelled up with blood that he had eaten.
Woodworm asked him where he obtained it; and he answered, “I get it from the trees. I suck their blood.”
Woodworm then attacked the trees; and this is the reason why woodworms at the present day bore in wood.
They look for blood.
If Mosquito had told Woodworm that he sucked blood from the people, Woodworm would attack and kill man at the present day.
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