The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOW THE BEAR GOT ITS SHORT TAIL.

A LONG TIME AGO THERE WAS A BEAR AND A FOX. THESE TWO WERE
ALWAYS PLAYING TRICKS ON EACH OTHER. SO ONE DAY THE FOX TOLD
THE BEAR THAT THERE IS AN EASY WAY TO CATCH FISH. ALL YOU HAVE
TO DO IS CUT A HOLE IN THE ICE AND PUT YOUR TAIL IN IT. THE FISH
WILL GRAB ONTO IT AND YOU'LL PULL HIM UP. BUT WHEN THE BEAR
PUT HIS TAIL IN THE HOLE THE FISH BIT IT OFF. THAT'S WHY BEARS
HAVE SHORT TAILS.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT CONSIDERS THIS A GREEK TALE. AS SHE REMEMBERS SHE
THINKS IT WAS TOLD TO HER BY A VISITING FRIEND OF HER FATHERS
FROM GREECE. SHE BELIEVES SHE LEARNED IT IN DETROIT IN 1969

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Date learned: 04-00-1980 ; 00-00-1969