On a hunting expedition, two brothers split. At a secret pool one encounters a giant mother otter and her multi-colored pups. He runs to tell his brother, who returns eagerly to join him; when they fire, the waters boil, flood the land, and chase the brothers relentlessly. Fleeing to high rocks at Mistassini post, one is devoured, the deluge ceases, and the lake forms.
Source:
Folk-Lore of the Cree Indians
by Fred Swindlehurst
The American Folklore Society
Journal of American Folklore
Vol.18, No.69, pp. 139-143
April-June, 1905
► Themes of the story
Origin of Things: The tale explains the creation of the lake at Mistassini through the flood caused by the otter’s wrath.
Conflict with Nature: The brothers’ attempt to hunt the otter provokes a catastrophic flood, pitting humans against the forces of nature.
Mythical Creatures: The enormous mother otter and her vividly hued pups are legendary beasts central to the story.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Cree people
Two brothers went out on a hunting excursion. They separated at a certain point, and each took a different route. One of them came to a small pool and saw in the water an enormous otter. He was just about to kill it when several young otters emerged from the pool. He noticed that they were of different colors, some red, some blue, and some green. Amazed at the unusual sight, he ran to inform his brother of the strange occurrence. The brother wished to go back and shoot the animals, so they started off together. As soon as the old otter made her appearance, one of the brothers fired. It dived, and immediately the water of the pool began to boil and foam and flood the surrounding land. The brothers ran in opposite directions and the water followed them. At last one of them was brought to a halt at some high rocks near the post of Mistassini, and the old otter devoured him. The waters then ceased to rise, and the lake remained as it is today.
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