Zuni Folktales · Chapter
Jackrabbit and Cottontail explained
The Jackrabbit and the Cottontail rabbit each sing for different weather—snow and rain respectively—and their songs determine the conditions under which each runs to this day.
What happens
The Jackrabbit and the Cottontail rabbit each sing for different weather—snow and rain respectively—and their songs determine the conditions under which each runs to this day.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and the Supernatural
The animals' songs directly influence natural weather patterns, blending the natural world with supernatural agency.
Folklore vs. Science
The story offers a folkloric explanation for the behavior of jackrabbits and cottontails in different weather conditions.
Characters to notice
- Jackrabbit
Sings for snow; long-legged.
- Cottontail
Sings for rain; short-legged.
Key passages
“The long-legged Jackrabbit sang for snow, thus: “U pi na wi sho, U pi na wi sho, U kuk uku u kuk!””
The tall Jackrabbit chanted a song asking for snow.
Illustrates the Jackrabbit's desire for snowy weather.
“But the short-legged Cottontail sang for rain, like this: “Hatchi ethla ho na an saia.””
The short Cottontail sang a different song asking for rain.
Shows the Cottontail's preference for rainy conditions.
“hence to this day the Pókʻia (Jackrabbit) runs when it snows, the Âʻkshiko (Cottontail) when it rains.”
This is why jackrabbits are active in snow and cottontails in rain.
Provides an etiological explanation for animal behavior.