In a time of famine, a young boy named Atcecq visits a notorious old man known for his cruelty. Despite warnings, Atcecq seeks food from the old man, who attempts to intimidate him. After consuming the offered fish without harm, the old man challenges Atcecq to a display of supernatural power. Atcecq cleverly turns the old man’s power against him, causing his death. This act liberates the community, allowing them to access the lake’s fish and end their starvation.
Source:
The Beaver Indians
by Pliny Earle Goddard
The American Museum of Natural History – Anthropological Papers
Volume X, Part 4
New York, 1912
► Themes of the story
Trickster: Atcecq employs cunning and wit to outsmart the malevolent old man, a hallmark of the trickster archetype.
Conflict with Authority: Atcecq challenges the old man’s oppressive dominance, ultimately overthrowing his tyrannical rule.
Moral Lessons: The tale imparts ethical teachings, emphasizing the triumph of good over evil and the value of intelligence in overcoming adversity.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Dane-zaa people
One time when they were starving they started to move toward a lake where they knew there were fish. A bad old man was known to live there but they thought he was away from home. When they came to the place they found he was still living there. Then that small boy said he would visit his grandfather, meaning the old man. His friends advised him against it, but he replied that since he was starving and suffering much he would visit him nevertheless. The others tried hard to stop him but he set out to pay the visit. When he arrived the old man asked why he came. “I came to you, grandfather, because I am starving,” the boy replied. “Well, you will not live long,” the old man said, “go back or I will kill you.”
► Continue reading…
“You do not talk as other people do, grandfather,” the boy said. “Well, cook him some fish,” he told his wife. The boy ate the fish when it was set before him. “What kind of a person are you who eat the fish I give you and still live? You are Atcecq,” the old man said. “Why do you say that? I ate what you gave me and I am happy,” the boy replied.
“Cook for him again,” he said, and his wife did so. “No person ever did this way with me before, but let us use supernatural power on each other,” the old man said. “What am I to do, that you speak that way?” the boy asked. “You have eaten much of my food,” the old man replied. “You do something to me first, grandfather,” the boy said. The old man made a large frog sit on his palm and told the boy to take it. “Now you do something to me,” the old man said. “Yes, grandfather, but what do I know, that you should say that to me?” the boy asked. “You swallowed a small frog and how is it that it did not bother you?” the old man asked. “What sort of a person am I that you should say that?” the boy asked again. The old man swallowed it and he could hardly breathe.
When Atcecq started back the old man said that since he had done that to him, he would know how to cure him. He sent his wife to bring the boy back that he might cure him. When the boy saw the sorrowful looking old woman coming after him he told her that he was not yet old enough to marry and that her husband might keep her. He turned back and came to the old man who was still breathing. When the boy began to sing over him the frog closed the old man’s mouth and he died.
The boy then ran back to his friends who asked how it happened he was still alive. “My grandfather was very kind. He is not a mean man. He fed me well and I ate what he gave me,” the boy replied. They knew the old man was mean and they were afraid of him.
Atcecq killed him and the people were very much pleased. They moved camp to the place where the fish were and many people were saved from starving.
The old man had many wives for he had taken the wives of the men he had killed. They took these women away. Many people were glad because of what Atcecq had done.
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Dreamtime Whispers 