Reading Notes: Southwestern and California Legends, unit B

I decided to switch things around by reading some Southwestern and California Legends unit, which I very much enjoyed! Some of the Blackfoot tales were quite confusing, but these were a little clearer and more enjoyable a read.

El Capitan. Personal photo, March 2017. 

Legend of Tu-Tok-A-Nu'-La (El Capitan)

I love this El Capitan origin story. I visited Yosemitee Valley for the first time this spring, and the wall is a true marvel. In retelling this story, I'd like to tell it from Tu-Tok-A-Nu'-La's point of view, to detail how it grew to such a mighty cliff, how it held the two small boys as they slept, how only the Measuring-Worm could climb its great heights.  

Origin of the Raven and the Macaw

This one could be reframed as more of a gameshow or competition run by the priest Yanauluha. It'd start with the dramatic choice between the red eggs and the blue, and follow the choices of the Raven People and the Macaw People. The prize would be the fates of these entire tribes, to live as summer people or winter people.

Coyote and the Fawns

This story is terribly sad as the coyote pups die. I think I might change it to a modern-day, human-focused tale and avoid the death of the coyote's children. Maybe instead he could be looking to make a modification to a car he's very proud of, and accidentally destroys it after getting tricked by a man with a much finer car he sought to emulate. 


Bibliography: Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest by Katharine Berry Judson (1912). Web source.