# Iktomi and the Ducks explained — Old Indian Legends

> Chapter companion for Old Indian Legends by Zitkála-Šá.

## What happens

Iktomi, a mischievous spider fairy, tricks a group of ducks by pretending to carry songs in his blanket. He builds a straw hut and convinces the ducks to dance with their eyes closed, then twists their heads and breaks their necks. He takes the dead ducks home to roast, but while his foot is caught in a tree, wolves eat his feast.

## Themes in this chapter

### Trickery and Consequence

Iktomi's deceitful trick on the ducks leads to a temporary gain, but his own greed and carelessness result in the wolves stealing his feast.

### Nature and the Spirit World

The talking tree and the wolves act as natural forces that intervene in Iktomi's plans, reflecting the interconnectedness of nature and spirit.

## Character check-ins

### Iktomi

The wily spider fairy who tricks the ducks and loses his feast to wolves.

### The Ducks

A group of wild ducks who are tricked by Iktomi into dancing with closed eyes, resulting in many being killed.

### The Stranger

A Skiska duck who peeks during the dance and warns the others, causing them to flee.

## Key lines

> With eyes closed you must dance. He who dares to open his eyes, forever red eyes shall have.

Iktomi commands the ducks to dance with their eyes shut, warning that anyone who peeks will have red eyes forever.

_This is the magical song Iktomi uses to trick the ducks into dancing blindly._

> Help! I'll break! I'll fall!

An old tree creaks and cries out as if in pain, swaying in the wind.

_The tree's cries distract Iktomi and lead to his foot being caught._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/iktomi-and-the-ducks
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/old_indian_legends_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters