A wealthy man’s daughter repeatedly encounters a toad at her door, which she dismisses. One night, the toad transforms into a young man who proposes marriage, and she agrees, unaware of his true identity. They elope to his father’s lakeside home. Later, when she visits her family, they urge her to stay. However, a multitude of toads besiege the house, compelling her to return to her husband. This story explains why women fear toads, believing they can abduct people.
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
Love and Betrayal: The girl’s initial acceptance and subsequent return to the toad husband highlight complex emotional dynamics.
Forbidden Knowledge: The girl unknowingly enters a union with a supernatural being, leading to unforeseen consequences.
Cultural Heroes: The narrative serves to explain cultural beliefs and practices, highlighting foundational figures in the society.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Tahltan people
A wealthy man had a daughter who lived in a little room by herself. She had just finished the training that girls undergo at puberty. For several successive mornings she noticed a toad (or frog?) lying at the door, and kicked it out of the road. One night the toad changed into a young man, and asked the girl if she wanted him for a husband. She did not know that it was the toad, and answered, “Yes.” The girl put on her marten robe and eloped with the young man. That night they went to a big lake, where the house of the Toad chief, the wealthy father of the youth, was located. Her parents and all the people searched for her, but could find no trace of her. [Some narrators say that they found her robe.] After she had been with the Toad people a while, the chief, her father-in-law, told her to go and visit her parents. Her people saw her coming, followed by her husband. Her father invited them into the house, and gave them a good (or high) place to sit in [place where nobles or people of rank sit down].
► Continue reading…
He ordered his slaves to cook for them and give them to eat. They noticed that the Toad ate no meat, so they gave him berries to eat. He and his wife finished their dishes. The chief asked his daughter not to go back with Toad, but to stay with them. She told her husband, and he left her. Now the people closed all the chinks of the house, so that no Toads could enter. In the morning they saw that many Toads had surrounded the house. Soon they came in; and finally they filled the house, much to the terror and annoyance of the people. The girl’s father offered to pay the Toads for the girl, but they paid no attention. Then the girl said to her father, “Let me go with them!” The girl returned to the Toad chief’s house, and all the Toads left. For this reason women are now afraid of toads, who steal people.
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