About Trickster Tales

Trickster Tales A folk tale about an animal or person who engages in trickery, violence, and magic.

Characters There are not many characters, usually two. One character is a good and clever trickster and one is a "bad" character. The animals have human characteristics. Talking animals are common in trickster tales.

Setting The setting is often not important. It is not fully described. Time and place indicated with traditional phrases: "In a far away land," "Once upon a time."

Problem A strong character takes advantage of a weaker character. The action may be repetitive, often in threes. The strong character remains confident until the end.

Solution The weaker character will play a trick. The solution is short and to the point. The story may teach a lesson. The story may explain why something occurs.

North American Tricksters Coyote: –Mythological coyotes are usually notable for their crafty intelligence, stealth, and appetite. –American Indian coyote characters vary widely from tribe to tribe. Coyote is a revered culture hero who creates, teaches, and helps humans; He is a sort of antihero who demonstrates the dangers of negative behaviors like greed, recklessness, and arrogance; He is a comic trickster character, whose lack of wisdom gets him into trouble while his cleverness gets him back out.

North American Tricksters Hare: – In many myths Hare was created by the Great Spirit specifically to teach humankind;. –Hare was the grandson of the earth or the son of the west wind. –In some Hochunk legends, Hare is identified as the son of the creator god Earthmaker, and in the peyote religion, Hare was associated with Jesus.

European Tricksters Wolf-Fox A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree. "That's for me, as I am a Fox," said Master Reynard, and he walked up to the foot of the tree. "Good- day, Mistress Crow," he cried. "How well you are looking to-day: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but one song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds." The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox. "That will do," said he. "That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future, "Do not trust flatterers."

China Monkey –The monkey king is said to have been born from a stone, fertilized by the wind, rain, and sun, and so contains within himself all of the four elements of the universe. Essentially a troublemaker and opportunist, the monkey is punished by the gods for his evil acts, including eating the peaches of the immortals.