Reading Notes: Native American Hero Tales, Part A

Of the stories I've read so far from this week's reading, my favorite is "The Attack on the Giant Elk and the Great Eagle." It's no lighthearted story, since the Apache hero, Jonayaiyin, kills the titular giant elk and then uses its antlers to stab the great eagle.

Irish Elk by Postdlf

I think adapting this story would be fun. On one side, you have the classic Disney story elements: Jonayaiyin, a hero with a destiny; two huge villains threatening the land he comes from; even animal companions like Gopher and Bat. Add in a few more characters, like his mother and brother, and the story becomes a Disney tale.


Alternatively, the story could be turned into a Wicked- or Maleficent-style switch-up sympathizing with the elk and/or eagle and giving their backstory a different twist. For example, instead of killing and eating humans, they could be misunderstood protectors of humanity who have to contend with a demigod who is trying to kill them.

Finally, it could be a Road to El Dorado-type story where the hero is not actually the demigod he claims to be, and must try to survive an encounter with the monstrous animals he is supposed to kill.





I'm also interested in Jonayaiyin's brother, Kobachischini. The former is the son of the Sun, and the latter is the son of the Waterfall, both by the same woman. Kobachischini never shows up; according to the reading, he "remained with his mother while his brother went forth to battle with the enemies of mankind." I would love more--a story where Kobachischini goes on his own quest, and then a story where they meet as rivals.  While Jonayaiyin seems to be more of a fighter with a hot temper, Kobachischini could be his cool-headed counterpart, being the son of the Waterfall. Their mother could function as a mediating presence between them, and their fathers as mentors, or even antagonists.

Source: Tales of the North American Indian by Stith Thompson