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CHAPTER TWELVE Tricksters For the Euro-American, the trickster tale is probably the most confusing kind oforal literature to comprehend. It is a universal genre, with the exception of Europe and Euro-America, but there are indications that it used to exist there too up until a few centuries ago. The Greek Hermes and the medieval fool, the popular stories of Jesus and Peter in the Middle Ages-all have vanished, replaced, perhaps, by movie cartoons. Why the trickster tradition should have ceased to be important for Europeans is a much debated point, with no clear answers, but the question is a significant one, particularly in the light ofthe importance ofthe trickster in other cultural traditions. Among Native Americans the identity ofthe trickster varied from region to region. In many nations more than one trickster was present; one was usually predominant, but other persons, normally non-humans, also figured in trickster incidents. The most widespread character was Coyote of the Plains and the West, but Raven played the role in the Northwest, Rabbit was the major trickster of the Southeast, and there were various others. Coyote appeared in the Southeast only among the Caddo on the western edge. "Trickster" can be a deceptively simple label, for the trickster does far more than just play tricks on people. If he were just a practical joker, he probably would not be a very important person in the folklore of the world. The trickster is also a creator, so much so that early folklorists preferred to speak of the "trickster-transformer." He creates good things by whim or by accident, but he also blunders, bringing difficulties for humans. As has been pointed out many times, the trickster is the dark side ofall ofus, freed from the social and personal rules that direct our normal behavior.1 The humor surrounding him far surpasses the level of slapstick, but understanding the humor of other cultures can be a most difficult task. Nonetheless, even the attempt can give us valuable insights into the thinking of people for whom the trickster is a beloved person. Let us look at some of the 222 dimensions ofthis mostcomplicatedofall charactersby examining some ofthe many trickster tales found in the Southeast. Coyote Challenges the Snake • • • CADDO One time while Coyote was out hunting something to eat he decided to go where Snakelived. He started in the direction he thought Snake lived and went to many places, but he could not fmd him. He went along talking to himself, saying, "I thought so; Snake is not so poisonous as people think, and in ever find him I will show him my power." He kept going from place to place. Finally hecameto oneplaceandthoughthe would stop and rest for awhile. He was not there very long when he heard someone calling him. When Snake came up to him, Coyote asked himhow he was getting along in the world, since he had been made so small. "You look so small that I do not think you can do very much harm to anyone, though I have heard many times that you have much poison. They say that you are more dangerous than I, and so that is the reason I have gone from place to place looking for you. Now that I have met you I want you to show me in what way you are more powerful and dangerous than I am." Snake said: "Yes, I look very small to you, but you know that although Iam small Iamgiven powerby your Father, and by his aid Ihave done many things in this world. I have killed many animals, large and small. Now you have come to see me, and whatever you want me to do I will do it; but first tell me what you want me to do." "Well," said Coyote, "I want to see which of us has the most power." '~ right," said Snake, "you may bite me just once anywhere you like, and I will bite you, too, and in that way we will see who has the more power." "But you have to bite me first," said Coyote. 'J\ll right," said Snake, and went up to Coyote and bit him on the top ofhis nose, and then said: "That is all I can do." Coyote stood there as though he was not hurt at all. He asked Snake ifthat was all he could do, and Snake said: "That is the best I can do to show you my power...

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