In a distant land inhabited by Prairie-dogs, a village thrives until relentless rain floods their fields of favorite food, the wild portulaca. As the Prairie-dogs grow hungry and weak, the elders convene a council to address their plight. They decide to seek help from the Burrowing-owl, their revered elder and priest, who resides atop a nearby mountain. The messenger Prairie-dog climbs to the Burrowing-owl's home and explains the dire situation. The Burrowing-owl agrees to help, promising to fast and meditate for four days. He begins by preparing a meal of beans and seeks out a Tip-beetle, whom he feeds generously. After the beetle overeats, the Burrowing-owl suggests a method to relieve the beetle of his discomfort while also utilizing his unique abilities. On the fourth day, with the rain still pouring, the Burrowing-owl takes the beetle's wind-filled pouch outside. He strikes the pouch, releasing the potent odor of the beetle, which is so overwhelming that it drives away the rain clouds. With each strike, the sky clears, and the Prairie-dogs emerge from their burrows, rejoicing and praising the Burrowing-owl for his successful intervention. The story concludes with the enduring friendship between the Prairie-dogs and Burrowing-owls, highlighting the owl's role as a protector and the significance of their symbiotic relationship in the ecosystem.
By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1879 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy