Why Foxes' Eyes Slant, and Why the Hare Has No Tail
"This is why foxes' eyes slant, and the hare once had a tail, but, because of the fox's deceit, he now lacks a tail."
From: 1912 C.E. To: 1912 C.E.
Location: Hokkaido, Japan
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
Why Foxes' Eyes Slant, and Why the Hare Has No Tail
A Bear was living with a Fox. They made a sledge and dragged each other along. First the Bear dragged the Fox, but he got tired. So afterwards the Fox dragged the Bear, but he ran into a narrow place between some trees. The Bear screamed, "You are frightful! Where the trees grow so thick, do not run so fast; but where there is room enough, you may run!" This the Bear said, but the Fox did not listen to him. They soon arrived at a hill. Up they climbed to the top of it; but there the Fox upset the sledge, and the Bear rolled down and was killed. The Fox skinned him, took him home, and ate his meat. When he had finished eating, he tied a bladder to his tail.
Soon the Fox felt hungry again, so he went to the seashore to look for food. He saw a herd of reindeer; and one of them said, "Listen, Fox! Why is it that you have that funny thing tied to your tail?" Thus he asked. "Let me stand among you," said the Fox, "and you butt at me with your antlers, and you also will have such things tied to your tails." So two reindeer took the Fox between them, and tried to toss him with their antlers; but the Fox leaped away, and they only hit each other and died. The Fox skinned them, and took them home and ate their meat.
When he had eaten it all, however, he was hungry again; so he went to the seashore to look for some food. After a while he perceived a hare. The Hare said, "Man-Fox, what did you do that you have such a thing tied to your tail?" ? "You could also have such a thing if you would follow my advice. Dig a hole in the ice, put your tail into the hole, and strike the snow with your fore-paws, then you will get something tied to your tail." This the Fox said; and the Hare believed, and did as he was told, but his tail froze to the ice. The Fox sprang at him; but the Hare jumped up, and tore himself loose.
The Fox, in dismay, went to the seashore, where he saw a bird sitting on the ice. He stole near the bird; but it flew away, and screamed, "You empty bag! Fat meat is good to eat. You thought you would get me!" and off it went. But the Fox was grieved to have lost his prey, and looked after it a long time.
This is why foxes' eyes slant, and the hare once had a tail, but, because of the fox's deceit, he now lacks a tail.
Bibliography
Bronislas Pilsudski, "Ainu Folk-Lore," The Journal of American Folklore 25, no. 95 (1912): doi:10.2307/534469.
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