The dog

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

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► Themes of the story

Origin of Things: The tale provides an explanation for why dogs cannot speak, attributing it to their past behavior.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts a lesson about the consequences of dishonesty, illustrating that constant lying can lead to severe repercussions.

Divine Punishment: Although the punishment is administered by a human, it carries a sense of finality and serves as a retribution for the dogs’ transgressions, aligning with the theme of divine or ultimate punishment.

► From the same Region or People

• North America
  • Sub-Arctic Region
    • Tahltan Lore

Learn more about Tahltan people

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In early times dogs used to talk. When a hunter went home, his dog would run ahead and tell the people that he had killed game. When the hunter arrived, the people learned that he had killed nothing. When hunters killed game, the dogs always said they had killed nothing. Thus they lied all the time. Once upon a time some people could find no game, and were starving. One of the men who had a dog went out hunting. He travelled all day, but could find no game. On his way home the dog ran ahead and told the people his master had killed some very fat game. The people were delighted, and made ready to cook some of it. When the hunter arrived, they learned that he had killed nothing. The people were disappointed. The man went out and stuffed excrement in the dog’s mouth, saying, “Henceforth you shall not be able to lie. You will be unable to speak.” This is how dogs lost the power of speaking like people.