Stories of the Cahto Tribe
Meadowlark's Breast
(This is a line-by-line translation (within the limits of English readability)
Meadowlark and Yellow-breasted Chat were quarreling, they say.
They were quarreling with each other, they say.
They were quarreling early in the morning.
At this time of day, they say.
It was evening, they say.
There was a fire, they say.
A fire, they say.
Meadowlark fell asleep, they say.
He (Chat) put some stones on the fire (to get hot), they say.
Meadowlark fell asleep, they say.
Chat picked up a stone, they say.
He put it in Meadowlark's mouth, they say.
The stone fell through Meadowlark's breast 3, they say.
That is why he sings at night, they say.
That is all.
Professor P.E. Goddard's Translation
Meadowlark and Mockingbird were quarreling. They were quarreling in the morning; they were quarreling at noon; they were still quarreling at evening. A fire was burning there.
Meadowlark fell asleep. Mockingbird put some stones in the fire and let them get hot. He then took one up and put it in the sleeping Meadowlark's mouth.
The stone fell out his breast leaving the black mark there. That is why he sings at night.
That is all.
(Based on Cahto oral traditions and beliefs)
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