Why the Possum's Tail Is Bare, and Other North American Indian Nature Tales

The thirteen nature tales collected here are from eight different tribes of eastern and westen North America: Iroqois, Cherokee, Ojibway (Chippewa), Micmac, Sioux, Blackfoot, Cree and Chinook. Illustrated by Andrea Adams with lively pen-and-ink drawings, the tales were originally told by Native Americans to amuse and instruct both adults and children. Animals are given personalities, and in these tales it is not always the strongest or the fastest who prove the cleverest at winning or surviving.The values are enduring ones,imparting wisdom, survival skills, ethics and respect for all living things.