Beaver and Muskrat live together until a quarrel leads Beaver to destroy their shared home. Beaver takes the ridge-pole and builds a new, superior house, refusing Muskrat’s pleas to return the stolen piece or share the new dwelling. Consequently, beavers are known for their well-constructed homes, while muskrats inhabit inferior shelters.
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 narrative provides an explanation for the current living conditions of muskrats and beavers, detailing how their habitats came to be.
Cunning and Deception: Beaver’s actions in defeating Muskrat and taking over his resources involve elements of cunning behavior.
Moral Lessons: The story imparts lessons about the consequences of conflict and the importance of cooperation.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Tahltan people
Beaver and Muskrat lived together in Muskrat’s house.
One day they had a quarrel; and Beaver, being the stronger and possessed of the better teeth, defeated Muskrat.
In the struggle the house was torn down, Beaver now stole the ridge-pole and went off to another place, where he built a good house just like Muskrat’s former house.
Muskrat went to see him, and asked for his ridge-pole; but Beaver would not give it up. He also would not allow him to live in his house.
For this reason muskrats now live in the water and have poor houses, and beavers have good houses.
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