Nashoba

A Native Version of the Tale of the Wolf & the Hare

Grandfather tells the story of Nashoba, the lone wolf. “He is the Trickster. Hider of truths. The hungry one.”

Nashoba lets out the cry. The cry for help. His foot is caught in an interloper’s trap.

Soon, the other animals of the forest come upon Nashoba, one by one.

The fox says, “Nashoba, you say you are the chief of the forest. You need no help.”

The mountain lion says, “Nashoba, you challenged me and called me weak. I’m no help to you.”

The bear says, “Nashoba, you say your speed and agility make you invincible. What could I possibly do for you?”

Nashoba looked pitifully up at the animals he had considered his rivals.

“But, look, I am stuck in this trap. Man is all of our enemy. Help me!”

The fox, the mountain lion and the bear all shook their heads and walked away from the trapped wolf.

Soon, the rabbit came upon Nashoba.

“Brother,” said the wolf. “I have been caught in man’s trap. Help me.”

The rabbit thought for a moment, then said to the wolf, “Brother. If I loose you from the trap, you’ll only attack me, for the wolf and the rabbit are not friends.”

The wolf widened his eyes and said in his sweetest voice, “That may be, but I would be so grateful if you freed me that I would not harm you. We are brothers of the forest. And man is our common enemy.”

The rabbit paused, then hopped over to Nashoba, whose foot was turning quite purple from the steel teeth of the trap.

“I can’t quite reach the trigger to release the trap,” said the wolf, “if you can just hop on it until the trap snaps open . . .”

The rabbit thought for a moment, then agreed to snap the trap for the wolf.

Now, Nashoba was quite pleased. Not only would he be freed from the trap, he would have dinner as well!

The rabbit moved toward the trap lever and began to jump on it. The trap did not budge. The rabbit jumped harder and higher. Twice. Three times. Success! The trap popped open.

Nashoba pulled his foot free and lunged toward the rabbit in mid-air. But, the rabbit had outsmarted the wolf. On the third jump, the rabbit aimed himself toward the brambles and disappeared into the thicket. The wolf leapt into the brambles, but quickly regretted the move. He could not go more than a few feet and he was covered with cuts and thorns.

The moral of the story? You can’t always count on a hare-brained plan to work, but if you have courage and determination, you might outsmart your strongest enemy!