On the wide, wind-swept plains of the Lakota people lived Iktomi, the great trickster spirit. He was clever and full of schemes, yet his cunning often brought him more trouble than reward. One chilly morning, Iktomi wandered across the prairie with an empty belly and a mischievous glint in his eyes. His stomach growled like thunder, reminding him that it had been days since he’d last eaten.
As he followed a winding river, he noticed a flock of wild ducks splashing joyfully in the water. They dipped their bright heads beneath the ripples, chasing fish and playing without care. The sight filled Iktomi with both hunger and opportunity.
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“Ah,” he whispered to himself, “those plump ducks will make a fine meal if only I can trick them.”
Iktomi crouched behind a tall patch of grass, rubbing his hands together as he began to plan. “They love to sing and dance,” he muttered, “and I, Iktomi, am the best singer and dancer of all! Yes… I will teach them a new dance, one that ends in a feast for me.”
Straightening his ragged robe and smoothing his tangled hair, Iktomi stepped boldly toward the riverbank. He called out in a cheerful voice, “Friends! Beautiful ducks of the water, come closer! I have traveled far and learned a wondrous new dance that brings happiness and strength. Let me teach it to you!”
The ducks, curious and friendly by nature, waddled closer. One of them asked, “A new dance? What kind of dance is it?”
“It is the Eyes-Shut Dance!” Iktomi announced grandly. “You must dance with your eyes closed tight, or the magic won’t work. While you dance, I’ll beat my drum and sing the sacred song. You will feel the power of the sky and the earth flowing through you!”
The ducks murmured excitedly among themselves. They loved to dance, and Iktomi’s words sounded convincing enough. Soon, they formed a circle around him, flapping their wings eagerly.
Iktomi began to beat his drum and chant in a low, rhythmic voice:
“Dance, my friends, dance with joy,
Keep your eyes shut, don’t be shy!
Dance to the beat of the trickster’s song,
Dance, dance, all day long!”
The ducks clapped their wings and spun around in delight, eyes tightly shut, trusting Iktomi’s words. But as the rhythm grew faster, Iktomi’s wicked grin spread wide. Moving quietly behind them, he seized one duck by the neck, twisted it, and tossed it aside. One by one, the ducks fell until only a few were left dancing.
But among them was a clever young duck who couldn’t resist peeking through one eye. What she saw made her feathers stand on end, her friends lying motionless on the ground and Iktomi crouched behind them, ready to strike again!
With a terrified quack, she cried, “Fly, brothers and sisters! Fly! Iktomi is killing us!”
The surviving ducks opened their eyes in horror and flapped into the sky in a great flurry of wings. Iktomi leaped after them, shouting, “Wait! The dance isn’t over!” But they were gone, leaving him standing in silence beside his few victims.
Grumbling, Iktomi gathered the ducks he had caught and built a small fire by the riverbank. “They laughed at me, but I’ll have the last laugh,” he said. The smell of roasting meat soon filled the air. His mouth watered, and he rubbed his hands in anticipation.
Just as he reached for his first bite, a rustling came from the bushes. Before Iktomi could react, a sly fox darted out, snatched the roasted ducks in his jaws, and vanished into the grass.
“Thief!” cried Iktomi, chasing after him. But the fox was too fast. He disappeared over the hill, leaving Iktomi with nothing but the crackling fire and his empty stomach.
Iktomi sat down heavily, staring at the smoking embers. His clever trick had failed again. His hunger was unchanged, and his pride was burned away like the ashes in the pit.
From that day on, whenever Iktomi wandered the plains and saw ducks playing by the river, he lowered his head. He never again dared to mock or deceive them.
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Moral Lesson
This Lakota folktale reminds us that greed and deceit always lead to loss. Those who try to outsmart others for selfish gain often find themselves the true fools in the end. True satisfaction comes from honesty and respect, not trickery.
Knowledge Check
1. Who is Iktomi in Lakota folklore?
Iktomi is the trickster spirit known for his cleverness, deceit, and lessons through mischief.
2. What trick does Iktomi use to catch the ducks?
He invents a fake “Eyes-Shut Dance” and convinces the ducks to close their eyes while dancing.
3. How does Iktomi’s plan fail?
A clever duck peeks, warns the others, and they fly away before Iktomi can catch them all.
4. What happens after Iktomi cooks the ducks?
A sly fox steals the roasted ducks, leaving Iktomi with nothing.
5. What moral does this story teach?
It teaches that greed and deceit bring ruin, while respect and honesty preserve harmony.
6. What cultural value does this tale reflect?
It reflects the Lakota respect for nature, truth, and humility — core teachings of their folklore.
Source: Adapted from Old Indian Legends by Zitkala-Ša (1901), Project Gutenberg.
Cultural Origin: Lakota (Sioux), North America.
