The narrative describes a time when Rattlesnakes were once human beings living in a village called Yathlpewʻnan. The story begins with children who wish to play on the sandbanks near a river, taking their younger sister with them. Despite their mother's warning to be cautious, the little girl runs into the path of an older sibling sliding down the hill, resulting in a tragic accident that leads to her death. The children mourn their sister, singing a lament as they carry her home. The mother, upon seeing them approach, realizes the calamity and expresses her grief through a traditional cry, which is echoed by the grandmother and the rest of the village. The collective sorrow causes everyone to faint, and when they regain consciousness, they find themselves transformed into Rattlesnakes, unable to rise and instead wriggling along the ground. The tale concludes with a moral reflection on the past humanity of the Rattlesnakes, emphasizing a respect for life and a reminder not to kill them needlessly, as they were once a proud people. The story serves as an origin myth, explaining the transformation of humans into Rattlesnakes and imparting a lesson about care, responsibility, and the consequences of actions.
By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1883 · Genre: Mythology, Fable, Fantasy