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05 Wolakota Project Video Transcripts and URLs.docx · WP-0003. Imported source record; individual Elder status and tribal affiliation are not inferred.
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Interview transcript
Hi kids! I want to share with you another Iktomi story. Here he was. Iktomi was walking along on this breezy day, and it was hot so he got out his handkerchief. He shakes it out and the wind takes it out of his hands. He reaches for it, but it flies up into the tree and gets caught up in a branch. Ikto says, “How am I going to get my handkerchief down?” And here comes this nice looking young man. He has on a real nice buckskin shirt, leggings, and beautiful moccasins. He had a beaded necklace on. Iktomi says, “Hello, little brother! You look very nice today” “I am sad,” Iktomi says. The young man says, “Why are you sad?” “My handkerchief… it blew up into the tree. My arms are not strong enough to get me to go get my handkerchief.” “Maybe I can help you.” “Yes. You’re young, you’re strong. You could do it for me. But look how you are dressed.” “Why look at these clothes? They are very nice clothes. Why should you mess them up. I will watch them for you. Take them off and pile them here and go up and get my handkerchief for me.” The young man says, “Sure. OK.” So he takes off all his clothes…lays them down. Iktomi looking at them, “Oh these are nice.” The young man says, “What’s that?” Iktomi says, “Oh, just be careful. Be careful as you’re going up. Don’t you fall from there.” The young man is going higher and higher up into the tree. And as he rounds the tree to get up even higher, Iktomi looks up and says, “Thank you!” “Thank you? I haven’t got your handkerchief yet.” “No, for the fine clothes!” And he takes the clothes and runs off with all those nice new clothes.