In ancient times, Bear, known as Nyagwahe, was a proud and mighty creature. He believed that his immense strength gave him the power to control everything, even the movements of the sun and the moon. One morning, standing boldly in the forest, Bear declared, "I am the strongest! I can stop the sun from rising and make the moon stand still."
A small chipmunk overheard him. Clever and a little mischievous, the chipmunk challenged, "Bear, do you really think you can do that?" Bear answered confidently, "Of course! Tomorrow morning, the sun will not rise because I have commanded it."
The chipmunk and Bear stayed awake all night, waiting. Bear muttered constantly, "The sun will not rise, the sun will not rise," while the chipmunk quietly observed. When dawn came, the first rays of sunlight appeared on the horizon. The sun rose as it had for millions of years. Overjoyed, the chipmunk danced and sang, "The sun has risen! Bear cannot stop the sun! Truth has prevailed!" The chipmunk was right, but it had made a serious mistake: mocking someone stronger rather than showing humility.
Humiliated and furious, Bear swiped his massive claws at the chipmunk. The little creature ran for its burrow under a tree and narrowly escaped. However, Bear’s sharp claws raked across its back from head to tail. The chipmunk survived, and when it emerged the following spring, three long black stripes marked its back, serving as permanent reminders of Bear’s power.
The story carries important lessons for Native American children. It teaches humility, showing that even the strongest cannot control the universe. It warns against mocking others’ failures, as even a clever chipmunk can face serious consequences for arrogance. Finally, it conveys the laws of nature, reminding all creatures that the natural world operates beyond anyone’s control.
This tale explains not only the chipmunk’s stripes but also the values of respect, patience, and understanding one’s place in the balance of nature.