Iktomi and the Ducks by Zitkála-Šá

The story revolves around a trickster figure named Iktomi who disguises himself as an old man and tricks ducks into giving him their beautiful feathers in exchange for worthless trinkets. The ducks are deceived by his cunning, but ultimately outsmart him when they realize the value of what they have lost.

By Zitkála-Šá · First published 1902 · Genre: Fable, Folklore, Children's Literature · 2,142 words

First lines

Iktomi is a spider fairy. He wears brown deerskin leggins with long soft fringes on either side, and tiny beaded moccasins on his feet. His long black hair is parted in the middle and wrapped with red, red bands. Each round braid hangs over a small brown ear and falls forward over his shoulders.

He even paints his funny face with red and yellow, and draws big black rings around his eyes. He wears a deerskin jacket, with bright colored beads sewed tightly on it. Iktomi dresses like a real Dakota brave. In truth, his paint and deerskins are the best part of him -- if ever dress is part of man or fairy.

What this Textopian page supports

Iktomi and the Ducks is listed on Textopian as a short story by Zitkála-Šá, dated 1902 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Short story
• Author: Zitkála-Šá
• Date: 1902 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Fable, Folklore, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure
• Length: 2,142 words
• Structure: 1 section, 43 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Iktomi and the Ducks by Zitkála-Šá
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering Iktomi and the Ducks?
• How does this short story by Zitkála-Šá fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Fable first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• Iktomi And The Muskrat by Zitkala Sa
• Iktomi And The Turtle by Zitkala Sa
• The Singsong Of Old Man Kangaroo by Rudyard Kipling
• The Fox The Otter And The Monkey by Basil Hall Chamberlain
• The Wise Old Gnome by Anne Frank
• The Fox And The Crow by Parker Fillmore

Genres

• Fable — The story features anthropomorphized characters and conveys a moral lesson through Iktomi's actions and consequences.
• Folklore — It draws on traditional cultural elements and storytelling techniques characteristic of indigenous narratives.
• Children's Literature — The simple language and engaging plot make it suitable for a young audience, often found in children's stories.
• Fantasy — The presence of magical elements, such as a fairy spider and talking animals, places it within the fantasy genre.

Tags

Folklore · Lakota mythology · Native American literature · Short story · Animal fiction · Moral tale · Coming of age · Self-discovery · Wisdom · Humor · Satire · Social commentary

More by Zitkála-Šá

• Impressions of an Indian Childhood (1900)
• The School Days of an Indian Girl (1900)
• An Indian Teacher Among Indians (1900)
• The Softhearted Sioux (1900)
• The Trial Path (1902)
• A Warrior's Daughter (1902)
• A Dream of her Grandfather (1902)
• The Widespread Enigma Concerning Blue-Star Woman (1902)
• All works by Zitkála-Šá