Ete’tuata, a man from Teslin Lake, had a giant toad named E’dista as his guardian. His skeptical son doubted the toad’s existence until they visited its dwelling. Using a long pole, Ete’tuata summoned E’dista from the mud. Upon seeing the massive creature, the son tried to flee but was paralyzed by its influence. Ete’tuata then persuaded the toad to leave, resulting in the formation of a waterfall at the site.
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
Cunning and Deception: Ete’tuata uses a long pole to coax the toad from its hiding place, demonstrating cleverness in dealing with the creature.
Sacred Spaces: The toad’s dwelling near Teslin Lake is portrayed as a significant and feared location.
Origin of Things: The departure of the toad leads to the creation of a waterfall, symbolizing a change in the natural landscape.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about Tahltan people
This is said to have happened not long ago, and therefore the Indians do not consider it to be a mythological tale belonging to ancient times.
Once at a place near Teslin Lake called Eka’tzetzin [said to mean something similar to saying “poked and caught pole”], where there is now a waterfall, a gigantic toad had his house. This toad was the guardian of a Teslin man called Ete’tuata. His son knew that his father had E’dista, or Big-Toad, for his guardian, but thought it was only the spirit of the monster. He did not believe that any really existed, and he scoffed when people said they were afraid to go near the place where the toad lived. One day he was hunting with his father near the place, and said to him, “Where is this place that people are afraid to go to?” After his father had pointed out the locality, he proposed that they should go there, but his father would not consent. The son then told his father he did not believe the stories told about that place, and wanted to see for himself. At last his father said, “Well, if you are not afraid, let us go!” He made the lad get a very long slender pole and carry it. When they came to the place, which was at the head of a small lake south of Teslin Lake, his father took the pole and pushed it down through the soft mud until it was nearly out of sight. Soon something moved, and took hold of the pole.
► Continue reading…
The boy was sitting near by; and his father said to him, “E’dista has taken hold now. Don’t run!” He pulled at the pole, and the toad came up. As soon as the lad saw its huge head emerging slowly out of the mud, he tried to run away. He ran only a short distance, when the influence from the toad reached him; and he became spell-bound, and could go no farther. His father said to Toad, “I want you to leave here, so that people may have a trail passing here. You must go away, or I shall kill you.” Toad agreed. When he left his house (or the burrow that he had occupied), the ground caved in, and left a hole through which the water poured out; and since then there has been a waterfall at this place.
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