Oct., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 3 



2. — Origin Myth (Fragmentary). 



At one time there was nothing but water on the face of tlie earth. 

 There were a nian, wife and boy floating on a flat pipe. (It had a 

 wooden stem then.) These people were on this flat pipe for days 

 and nights. 



One day their boy became very tired of being confined in one place 

 and said to his father, "My father, I wish you would try and provide 

 a big place to play on, so that I can run about."' This boy was able 

 to get around. The father thought that the boy 'really meant what 

 he said. Then he called forth all the water-fowls. "Now I want all of 

 you birds to decide among yourselves, who is the best diver ; my dear 

 boy wishes an earth to live on ; he says that he is getting tired of being 

 in a close place." After a consultation, the duck was selected as 

 the best diver. 



So the duck went down in the water and remained for a long time, 

 and barely touched bottom. When it touched the bottom of the water 

 it was out of breath, but slowly, came up to the surface, eyes partly 

 closed ; in its feet it had some pieces of clay. This man then took the 

 clay from the duck and threw it all around him, commanding that there 

 should be dry land for them. It was so small that the boy was not 

 satisfied with it. ''My dear father, this is rather too small, and I can- 

 not go very far without getting drowned. Surely you ought to con- 

 sider my plea and have the land made larger," said the boy. "All right, 

 son, I shall call the water-turtle — those that have red edges on their 

 armor — and have hini dive for more clay," said the father. So the 

 _ turtle went and dived and was in the water for some time. Finally 

 there was a bubbling on the surface and there came out the turtle, alive. 

 It had gathered clay and placed it on the four sides of its body (the 

 hollow places). This man then took the clay and scattered it all 

 around him, comyianding that there should be .more land ; it was made, 

 accordingly. The land was as far as they could see the horizon. Tliis 

 boy was satisfied then. This man, seeing these people needed some 

 water, took the pipe, then motioned in the four directions with it 

 slowly. Thus the rivers and the creeks were made, all running from 

 the foot of the mountains and hills. 



This man then lived on dry land with his family. He took the 

 duck and turtle and placed them with the flat pipe. Some time after- 

 wards, these made Indian corn for the first food. Thus the earth was 

 made, and the flat pipe contained then the body of a duck, and turtle and 

 corn. This was the beginning of the people and the earth, as it is at 

 present taught to the young people. 



