Folktales are unique literature: stories passed from generation to generation in a culture. All cultures have folktales. Often as these stories are told and retold, they change slightly. Many folktales originally told by word of mouth are now in written form, and many readers enjoy them. Myths and fairy tales are types of folktales. Folktales told in a culture tell a lot about the beliefs and values of a culture. For instance, Cinderella tells about the dream of rags to riches and about the rewards of being a hardworking, kind person.

America, because it attracted immigrants from many nations, is full of the folktales from many cultures. As people journeyed to America to build railroads, farm the land, and build communities, they added to the rich cultural heritage of our nation.

This is just one example of a folktale from a group of people who journeyed to America. Before you begin to read, discover where this folktale originated. As you read, think about what values and beliefs this folktale teaches. After you read, compare this folktale to others you have read. Is this like some that you know? How?

Before you begin to read:
Try to find the location where this folktale originated.

As you read:
Think about what values and beliefs this folktale teaches.

After you read:
Compare this folktale to others you have read. Is this like some that you know? How?

The Magic Arrow—a Native American Folktale

There was once a young man who wanted to leave his home and make his way in the world. His mother gave him food and a pair of moccasins, and his father gave him four magic arrows. He said to his son, “When you are in need, shoot one of these arrows.” The boy set off on his journey.

As the young man journeyed through the forest, he hunted unsuccessfully. Finally, he grew so hungry that he shot one of the magic arrows. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, the boy continued on through the forest. Soon, he came upon the body of a bear with the magic arrow in the animal’s heart. The boy rejoiced and made a meal of the bear’s tongue. With the rest of the bear’s remains, he made an offering of thanks to the Great Spirit. The young warrior retrieved his arrow and continued on his journey.

In a few days, again the man found himself in need of food, and again he shot one of the arrows. This time he came upon an elk with the magic arrow in the animal’s heart. He again made a meal of the tongue and offered the rest as a sacrifice. Two more times this happened; once with a moose, then with a buffalo.

After the young man had shot the fourth arrow, he came upon a small village. At the edge of the village he noticed a small, poor tent where an old couple lived. The young man went to a hollow tree at the edge of the forest, took off his clothes, and tapped himself on the top of his head with his staff. Magically, he was transformed into a ragged young boy. The boy set off for the poor tent.

When he reached the tent, the old woman quickly offered to keep the boy for her own and even gave the boy the last of the family’s food. The old man was disgusted and angry, but there was little he could do. The boy ate and moved in with the old couple. One day, the boy asked the old woman if he could have some arrows. The woman turned to her husband and said, “You must make the boy some arrows.” The old man grumbled, but made the boy two or three arrows. The boy went hunting and soon returned telling of the great bear he had shot. For, you see, the boy had shot his magic arrows to kill the bear. The old woman praised the young boy and even the old man seemed pleased.

That night, the boy was sitting near the campfire, cooking the bear’s tongue, which he had saved for himself, when a beautiful Indian woman came near the fire asking to borrow the old woman’s mortar. The boy quickly gave the mortar to the young woman. He was amazed by her beauty.

Over time, the ragged boy killed an elk, a moose, and a buffalo for the old couple, each time retrieving his arrow. But trouble soon came to the village when a great red eagle began to fly over the village each day at dawn. The eagle was an evil omen. The hunters were unsuccessful in their hunts, and the villagers began to worry that someone in the village would lose his life. When the boy heard this, he went out the next morning with his magic arrows and laid waiting for the red eagle. At the touch of the arrow, the eagle fell to the ground. The boy pulled out his arrow and returned to his tent, but the thankful villagers began to celebrate and honor the young boy. The chief offered his beautiful daughter, the girl who had borrowed the mortar, as a bride.

Quietly, the boy returned to the hollow tree where his clothes were hidden. He returned to the amazed villagers as a handsome young man, prepared to marry his new bride.