# Iktomi's Blanket explained — Old Indian Legends

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

## What happens

Iktomi, hungry and cold, prays to Inyan, the great stone grandfather, for food and offers his blanket as a gift. After receiving a freshly wounded deer as an answer, he regrets giving away his blanket when night falls and retrieves it from Inyan. Upon returning, he finds the deer has vanished, leaving only dry bones, and he selfishly laments not having eaten first.

## Themes in this chapter

### Trickery and Consequence

Iktomi's selfish act of taking back his blanket from Inyan leads directly to the loss of the deer, demonstrating that deceit and ingratitude bring negative outcomes.

### Hospitality and Generosity

Iktomi's initial offering of his blanket to Inyan is a gesture of generosity, but his subsequent retrieval of it violates the spirit of giving.

### Justice and Retribution

The Great Spirit's withdrawal of the deer after Iktomi reclaims his blanket serves as a form of retribution for his selfishness.

## Character check-ins

### Iktomi

Iktomi prays to Inyan for food, offers his blanket, then selfishly takes it back, losing the deer.

### Inyan

The great stone grandfather who receives Iktomi's prayer and offering, but has his blanket taken back.

## Key lines

> The old great-grandfather does not feel the cold as I do. He does not need my old blanket as I do. I wish I had not given it to him. Oh! I think I'll run up there and take it back!

Iktomi rationalizes taking back his blanket from Inyan, claiming the stone doesn't feel cold or need it, and decides to retrieve it.

_This moment reveals Iktomi's selfish reasoning and sets up the consequence of losing the deer._

> Hin-hin-hin! If only I had eaten the venison before going for my blanket!

Iktomi laments that he should have eaten the deer first before retrieving his blanket.

_Iktomi's regret is purely selfish, showing he has not learned from his mistake._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/iktomi-s-blanket
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/old_indian_legends_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters