K is for Kick-butt Knowledge vs. Wolves

We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is Finding Resilience & Strength through Traditional Tales.

Kick-butt Knowledge –

From Cherokee

Rabbits is always keeping up with knowledge…or cleverness…or cunning…to get past the next challenge. Rabbit is a popular figure in many Native American tribes including the Cherokee. The Rabbit is the symbol of letting go of fears and holding onto hope.

The Cherokee people love balance and finding peace. Rabbit could easily shake up this balance and peace yet seems to still find it in the end.

The Cherokee are known most in the Southeastern parts of the United States by the Appalachian Mountains. Usually villages had 30 to 60 homes. As we have many wolves together…perhaps we really had 30 to 60 families of wolves. Hmmm. Though, besides being known as Cherokee, they often use the word Aniyvwiya that means “The Real People.”

50-word-or-less summary:

Rabbit woke up. Wolves! Rabbit offered to teach new dance. Wolves curious. Wolves loved dance. Distracted. Rabbit hopped away. Chase! Rabbit crawled into hollow of tree. Wolves argued how to get Rabbit. Rabbit chose spot because he could spit. Everyone knew that cursed if spit upon. Wolves gave up.

Finding the Story: 

Book “How Rabbit Tricked Otter: and other Cherokee Trickster Stories” – here

“The Rabbit Escapes from the Wolves” – here

50 Fascinating Facts About Cherokee Culture – here

Finding Resilience & Strength:

Rabbit is certainly one-of-a-kind. Or perhaps reflects the traits of any trickster who then has strength of mind and knowledge to survive another day. Rabbit is adaptable and often succeeds best for being in-the-moment. That’s mental toughness.

Think about it. If you were surrounded by wolves, would you offer then to dance? Rabbit probably knew that everyone loved to dance – humans, wolves, rabbits, everyone. Rabbit could have accepted his fate and be their meal. Nope. Too much strength and resilience.

Here’s an article from Hack Spirit called “The Art of Resilience: Mental Toughness Secrets of 22 Extraordinary People” to explore mental health and strategies.

Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See quick list of programs here.

As for our past A to Z Challenges…

While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has been resilient and strong during these past years and looks forward to the next hybrid summit & festival on May 8-11, 2023. We would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival

Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; Ashton Family Foundation; and people like you.