Why Dog Chases His Tail

For another version of this story, check out Part 2 of this link.

Sunrise Lesson 2 - Freytag's Pyramid  (E) Why Dog Chases His Tail-Sunrise L-2 Original also found in Native American folder #1556247 by SWPoet

Why Dog Chases His Tail

In the days when animals were no longer walking upright and had been banished into the forest by the increase in human populations, there lived a dog named by his humans a Tsalagi name for “he who chases shadows”.  He was not majestic like the wolf, nor clever like the fox, but he was loyal and happy.  He was also curious and eager and wanted to know what the difference was between he and the others who howled and shared his fur and body shape. 

He went to the fox and said, “I want to know about your ways.  I think my ancestors were foxes, see how bushy my tail is.  Teach me how to be a fox so I can learn my ancestor’s ways.”  The fox thought about this.  Why would this fortunate little brother of the human who ate beside them freely without having to sneak food and slept at the fire beside the humans without worry of the cold, why would he want to learn my ways?  Fox decided that the dog was just amusing himself and wasn’t really serious.  How could this hapless dog who chased shadows really be serious about learning my ways, the fox thought to himself.  He decided to test the dog. 

“Dog, if you really want to know about my life, you must go to the smokehouse and take a piece of meat, then bring it back to me.  Then you will prove you are worthy of learning the fox’s ways.” 

Dog knew the humans needed the meat to make it through the winter and didn’t wish to be disloyal.  But, he was eager to please the fox for he was very curious about what the fox could tell him.  So, late that night, he crept from his favorite human’s side and walked to the smokehouse.  Not wanting to be greedy, he plucked a small edge off a hanging piece of smoked meat, just enough to prove his readiness to be a student. 

Just as he was sneaking around the smokehouse toward the foxes den, he heard commotion at the fire.  He ran toward the den and presented Fox with the smoked meat. 
“Very good, dog.  I can tell you have the spirit of a Fox.  My den is your den.  Now, you must do one more thing and I will tell you what you need to know.  You must run to where the vegetables grow and search for Rabbit.  Tell him you are curious about his ways.  When he tells you about his medicine, return to me.  Then you will be worthy to hear my stories.” 

Off ran Dog, but just as he neared the garden, he began walking as carefully as he could, so as not to frighten Rabbit.  He wasn’t too worried, for Rabbit knew him by name and would even sit and watch him as he rubbed his back on the grass or snoozed in the sunshine.  She would even smile at him.  He knew she would tell him what he needed to know. 

“Rabbit, are you there?” Dog whispered as he walked among the vegetables.  “Come out, its me, Dog.” 

Rabbit peeked her head out from behind a cabbage.  “Dog, what are you doing here.  The humans are looking for you.  They needed you to help them find Fox.  He has stolen from them again.” 

Dog was afraid.  He didn’t want Fox to be frightened away by the humans.  Fox was just about to tell him about his ancestors. “Rabbit, someday, will you tell me about the Rabbit ways? I think maybe I had an ancestor who was Rabbit.  See how soft my fur is, and it is white like yours.” 

Rabbit considered this for a little while.  “Dog, I will tell you my ways but first I need a favor.  You see down toward that creek, there is a tree that fell and inside there lives the Fox.  Go to him and ask him what you asked me.  Then, when he tells you about his ways, come back and tell me.  You see, he likes to eat rabbits and I very much like my life here in the garden.  I do not wish to be his dinner.”

Dog walked around, smelling the trees, just being a dog and enjoying the smells of humans cooking  a meal.  His belly growled and he became less and less interested in the ways of the Fox and the Rabbit.  But, he was a dog and dogs were loyal if nothing else.  And, he did promise the Fox he would return.  Anyway, he needed to warn Fox about the humans thinking he took the meat.  So he walked to the den and peeked behind the entrance of the dead log. 

“Fox, where are you?”  Dog heard no answer.  “Fox, I came back like I promised.  I have the information you need.  I know about the Rabbit.  Please come out, I need to talk to you.”  Still, no reply.  He looked through the woods and behind the thick briars and brambles.  He wandered toward the mountain base, calling for Fox.  No reply again.

Then he heard something.  Rustling through the woods in the dark, he heard four paws
touch lightly on the ground and stop. 

“Fox, is that you? 

“Dog, it is I, Grey Wolf.  What are you doing away from your humans.  You are in danger here.”

“Why, I’m just looking for Fox.  Have you seen him?”

“Why are you looking for him?” Wolf was much larger than Dog but still treated him with mutual respect, as they were brothers in spirit.  Dog trusted Wolf so he told the story about the Fox and the Rabbit and what they each had told him. 

“Dog, I’m afraid you are much too trusting.  Do you know what they were doing?  They were asking you to spy on the other.  They were using you to get what they needed.  You need to go straight back to your humans and sit by their side.  You were chosen by the Creator to be man’s four legged companion and that is what you must do.  And Dog, do not play the game of the Rabbit and the Fox or bad ways will befall you.  Do as I say. Now go on before the humans find you missing.”  Wolf nudged Dog with his long muzzle and Dog walked back toward the humans. 

Dog trusted Wolf and knew he must mind.  But, his curiosity was getting the better of him.  Just as he was nearing the camp, Fox appear before him. 

“Did you find out Rabbit’s ways, Dog?”

“Well, you already know the Rabbit’s home.  I guess if you want to know, you should ask Rabbit.”  Dog tried to get out of the conversation but Fox was insistent. 

“I guess you really weren’t serious, Dog, you are too lazy and complacent to follow the way of the Fox.  How can you know the feeling of living on the outskirts and having to steal for food when you have humans feeding you by hand.  Go on, lazy one who chases shadows.  Get on now.  I have no time for those who aren’t serious.” 

Dog felt awful.  He slunk toward the humans with his tail between his legs.  He didn’t even realize where he was going until he ran into Rabbit at the edge of the garden.

“Why the long face, Dog.  Did you find out the way of the Fox?  I need your information to save my life and the lives of my children.  What did he say?” 

Dog tried to get out of the conversation again but feared that Fox would eat her if he didn’t help. He knew something bad could happen if he didn’t stop but he just couldn’t stop himself.  “He wanted me to find out about your ways but I didn’t tell him anything, I promise.” 

“Good thing, Dog, but did you look behind you as you came my way?”

“No, I did not.  What do you mean?”  Dog glanced behind him just in time to see the tiny white tip of a bushy tail jump behind a tree.  “Rabbit, you must go hide.  Fox has followed me.  I am so sorry.  Go, and I will divert the Fox.” 

As Rabbit ran with her children to a hole nearby, Dog ran toward Fox to chase him away from Rabbit.  Just then, the humans saw him and praised him for showing them where the Fox was.  With weapons in hand, several young men ran toward the Fox’s den, the last one yelling back “Thank you, Dog, you will get a good supper tonight for your reward.” 

Dog ran toward his human, barking loudly to scare the Fox away before the humans caught him.  He feared for his friend, Fox, even though he tried to trick him.  Dog was forgiving too.  It was one of his better features, he once thought.  Dog ran so fast, he passed the humans and the Fox and ran right into Wolf again. 

Wolf looked down at Dog with a serious glare.  “What did I tell you to do, Dog?  Do you see what your actions have caused.  You have told secrets to Fox and Rabbit, and Rabbit had to drag her new babies down a hole to run from Fox and now Fox is running for his life from your humans for they think that Fox took the meat that you stole from the smokehouse.  You have caused this mess.  Come back tomorrow and I will tell you what consequence you must suffer.  For now, you must go straight to your home and go to sleep, without enjoying the feast that will be offered as it will be offered under false pretenses. 

Dog walked back to his home and curled up beside the fire.  He was sad and worried for his friends.  He felt so bad that he did not heed the Wolf’s warning.  He didn’t get much sleep but he honored Wolf this time by refusing the meal set before him.  He was nervous about the next morning so he just stared at his bushy tail and pretended he was asleep. 

Early the next morning, Dog decided to face what was coming to him.  He ran off into the woods before the humans and the sun woke up.  It took him twice as long this time, because he kept getting distracted by his bushy tail.  He chased it a few times hoping it would get scared and tuck under his belly so it would quit reminding him of Fox but it just wagged on, drawing his nose toward it over and over.  When he finally got to Wolf, his four legged brother watched him running in circles and just shook his head. 

“Dog, I thought all night about the most fitting consequence and the Wolf Grandfathers decided that you will always be reminded of your lesson by your bushy tail and your soft white fur.  Anytime you get curious and start wandering from your humans, your tail will flicker and you will turn to see what its doing.  You will then see your silky white fur on your hind quarters and the bushy tail of the fox on your behind.  Now, perhaps, you will learn to mind your own business instead of running back and forth telling one what the other is doing. 

This is why, to this very day, household dogs remain loyal to their owners but chase their tails nervously when they see other animals in the yard.  You see, they are curious and trusting little creatures and they would love to know how squirrel breaks open the acorns and how cars can move without legs.  But thanks to Dog’s behavior long, long ago, the modern dog gets to chasing his tail when he becomes curious about the ways of other four legged creatures. 


SWPoet



Updated version 3-15-2010