Little-Hawk

Source: 
Ten’a Texts and Tales
(from Anvik, Alaska)
by John W. Chapman
The American Ethnological Society
Publications, Volume 6 (ed. Franz Boas)
E.J. Brill, Leyden, 1914

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► Themes of the story

Conflict with Nature: The hawk family faces hunger, a natural challenge, prompting the mother to hunt for mice to feed her children.

Cunning and Deception: The Raven attempts to deceive or provoke the Hawk by questioning her love and teaching methods towards her children.

Family Dynamics: The narrative focuses on the relationship between the mother hawk and her offspring, highlighting her efforts to provide for and nurture them.

► From the same Region or People

• North America
  • Sub-Arctic Region
    • Koyukon Lore

Learn more about Koyukon people

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Some Hawks sat in the shelter of a spruce. There were five children in the family, and with the mother they were six. They were hungry; and in the morning, before sunrise, the mother flew off to get mice for the children. She caught an abundance of mice, and put them beside her children, and tore them in pieces for them. “Come,” said she, “rejoice!” and she sang for them, –

Aiyuwo’ma, yuka’iuq cik.
Tcimu’qtiya’xya tatlie’myunu’k ka.

A Raven flew to the top of the spruce and spoke to her. “Oh, you don’t love them very well!” said he. “Say, do you teach them well to eat only dog?” The mother answered him angrily. “You scoundrel! Your children eat nothing but dog, my children eat only animals,” said she. Then Raven flew away from up there, angry.