# Iktomi and the Muskrat explained — Old Indian Legends

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

## What happens

Iktomi is eating boiled fish alone when a muskrat appears and, following custom, expects an invitation to share the meal. Instead of offering hospitality, Iktomi proposes a race with a stone on his back to decide who gets the fish. The muskrat agrees but swims across the lake while Iktomi struggles under the weight, then retrieves the pot and climbs a tree. Iktomi arrives to find his meal gone and, looking into the water, sees the muskrat in the tree above. The muskrat drops a bone into Iktomi's throat, teaching him a lesson about generosity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hospitality and Generosity

The chapter centers on Iktomi's refusal to share his food with the muskrat, violating the plains custom of hospitality. The muskrat's final words emphasize the lesson: one should always invite a visiting friend to share a meal.

### Trickery and Consequence

Iktomi attempts to trick the muskrat by proposing an unfair race with a heavy stone on his back, but the muskrat outwits him by swimming. Iktomi's cunning backfires, resulting in the loss of his meal and a painful lesson.

## Character check-ins

### Iktomi

Iktomi is selfish and greedy, refusing to share his food with the visiting muskrat. He devises a trick to avoid sharing, but his plan backfires when the muskrat outsmarts him by swimming across the lake.

### The Turtle

The muskrat is a water-dwelling creature who appears as a visitor expecting hospitality. He cleverly uses his swimming ability to win the race and takes the pot of fish, then taunts Iktomi from a tree.

## Key lines

> Oh, if only I had shared my food like a real Dakota, I would not have lost it all!

Iktomi regrets not following the Dakota custom of sharing food, realizing his greed caused him to lose everything.

_This moment of self-reflection highlights the moral of the story about the importance of generosity._

> Next time, say to a visiting friend, 'Be seated beside me, my friend. Let me share with you my food.'

The muskrat advises Iktomi to offer hospitality to guests in the future.

_The muskrat's final words directly state the lesson Iktomi should learn._

## Links

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