Old Indian Legends · Chapter
Iktomi and the Fawn explained
Iktomi, dissatisfied with his own form, seeks transformation from a peacock into a beautiful bird but fails to keep the condition of not flying, reverting to his original self.
What happens
Iktomi, dissatisfied with his own form, seeks transformation from a peacock into a beautiful bird but fails to keep the condition of not flying, reverting to his original self. He then asks an arrow to turn him into an arrow, but again breaks the condition by leaping like a fawn, reverting once more. Finally, he persuades a fawn to bury him in a pit with fire to mark his face with brown spots, leading to his apparent demise as smoke rises from the pit.
Themes in this chapter
Trickery and Consequence
Iktomi's attempts to deceive others and himself repeatedly backfire, leading to his own demise.
Transformation and Identity
Iktomi's desire to become a peacock, arrow, and fawn highlights his dissatisfaction with his identity and the consequences of seeking change without discipline.
Nature and the Spirit World
The peacock, arrow, and fawn possess magical powers, reflecting the interconnectedness of nature and spirit in Dakota beliefs.
Characters to notice
- Iktomi
Desperate to change his appearance, Iktomi repeatedly seeks transformation but fails to keep conditions, ultimately tricking a fawn into burying him in a fiery pit.
- The Ducks
Not directly present; the chapter features fawns instead of ducks.
- The Fish
Not present in this chapter.
- The Dragonfly
Not present in this chapter.
- The Turtle
Not present in this chapter.
- Iya
Not present in this chapter.
Key passages
“Iktomi saw a rare bird sitting high in a treetop. Its long fan-like tail feathers had caught all the beautiful colors of the rainbow.”
Iktomi spotted a peacock with rainbow-colored tail feathers perched in a tree.
Introduces Iktomi's desire for the peacock's appearance.
“I have a magic power. My touch will change you in a moment into the most beautiful peacock if you can keep one condition.”
The peacock offers to transform Iktomi into a peacock if he follows a single rule.
Establishes the condition that Iktomi later breaks.
“Upon the day you try to fly you shall be changed into your former self.”
If you attempt to fly, you will revert to your original form.
The condition Iktomi fails to keep, leading to his first reversion.
“I want to be an arrow! Make me into an arrow! I want to pierce the blue Blue overhead.”
Iktomi begs to be transformed into an arrow so he can fly straight into the sky.
Shows Iktomi's persistent desire for transformation after his first failure.
“Your flight must always be in a straight line. Never turn a curve nor jump about like a young fawn.”
The arrow warns Iktomi that he must fly only in straight lines and not leap around.
The condition for the arrow transformation, which Iktomi breaks by jumping with fawns.
“Thus with his own hands he aids in making his grave. After the hole was dug and cushioned with grass, Iktomi, muttering something about brown spots, leaped down into it.”
Iktomi helps dig his own burial pit, then jumps in, hoping to gain brown spots like a fawn.
Climax of the chapter, where Iktomi's trickery leads to his apparent death.
