# Jackrabbit and Cottontail explained — Zuni Folktales

> Chapter companion for Zuni Folktales by Frank Hamilton Cushing.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### Jackrabbit

Sings for snow; long-legged.

### Cottontail

Sings for rain; short-legged.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/jackrabbit-and-cottontail
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuni_folktales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters