Arrow Boy , the wonderful boy , gives a magic performance still enacted during Sioux Yuwipi ceremonies , in which the medicine man is tied up with a rawhide thong and covered with a star blanket ( formerly a buffalo robe ) while eerie lights flicker and invisible rattles and strange voices are heard . The pottery - making Pueblos have another version of this tale that they call the legend of the Water - Olla Boy . After the Cheyenne had received their corn , and while they were still in the North , a young man and woman of the tribe were married . The woman became pregnant and carried her child in the womb for four years . The people watched with great interest to see what would happen , and when the woman gave birth to a beautiful boy in the fourth year , they regarded him as supernatural . Before long the woman and her husband died , and the boy was taken in by his grandmother , who lived alone . He learned to walk and talk very quickly . He was given a buffalo calf robe and immediately turned it inside out so that the hair side was outward , the way the medicine men wore it . Among the Cheyenne there were certain medicine men of extraordinary wisdom and supernatural powers . Sometimes they would come together and put up a lodge . Sitting in a large circle , they chanted and went through curious rituals , after which each man rose and performed wonders before the crowd . One of these magic dances were held when the boy was about ten . He made his grandmother ask if he could take part , and the medicine men let him enter the lodge . " Where do you want to live ? " the chief of the medicine men asked , meaning " Where do you want to sit ? " Without ceremony the boy took his seat beside the chief . To the man who had ushered him in , the child gave directions to paint his body red and draw black rings around his face , wrists , and ankles . The performance began at one end of the circle . When the boy 's turn came , he told the people what he was going to do . He used sweet grass to burn incense . Then he passed his buffalo sinew bowstring East , South , West , and North thINDEX Music : Ancient Voices by AH - NEE - MAH Once in a lonely lodge there lived a man , his wife , and two children - a girl and a boy . In front of the lodge , not far off , was a great lake , and a plain trail leading from the lodge down to the shore where the family used to go for water . Every day the man went hunting , but before starting he would paint the woman red all over , coating her face , her arms , and her whole body with this sacred medicine to protect her from harm . After he departed , she would leave the children alone in the lodge and go for water , when she returned with it , the red paint was always gone and her hair un - braided . She would manage to get back with her water just before her husband arrived . Not being a good hunter , he never brought any meat . Though he asked her no questions , her husband thought it strange that every night the paint he had put on his wife in the morning had disappeared . One day he said to his daughter , " What does your mother do every day ? When I go out , I paint her , and when I get back , she has no paint on . " The girl replied , " Whenever you start out hunting , she goes for water , and she is usually away for a long time . " The next day , the man painted his wife as usual and then took his bow and arrows and left the lodge . But instead of going off hunting , he went down to the lake shore , dug a hole in the sand , and buried himself , leaving a little place where he could look out . The man had not been hidden long when he saw his wife coming with a bucket . When she was near the water 's edge , she slipped off her dress , un - braided her hair , sat down on the shore , and said , " Na shu eh ' , I am here . " Soon the man saw the water begin to move , and a mih ' ni , a water spirit , rose from it , crawled out on the land , crept up to the woman , wrapped itself about her , and licked off all the red paint that was on her body . The man emerged from his hiding place and rushed down to the pair . With his knife he cut the monster to pieces and cut off his wife 's head . The pieces of the monster crept and rolled back into theBecause the Great Mystery Power had given Coyote much of his medicine , Coyote himself grew very powerful and very conceited . There was nothing , he believed that he couldn 't do . He even thought he was more powerful than the Great Mystery , for Coyote was sometimes wise but also a fool . One day long ago , it came into his mind to dance with a star . " I really feel like doing this , " he said . He saw a bright star coming up from behind a mountain and called out : " Hoy , you star , wait and come down ! I want to dance with you . " The star descended until Coyote could get hold of him , and then soared up into the sky , with Coyote hanging on for dear life . Round and round the sky went the star . Coyote became very tired , and the arm that was holding onto the star grew numb , as if it were coming out of its socket . " Star , " he said , " I believe I 've done enough dancing for now . I 'll let go and be getting back home . " " No , wait ; we 're too high up , " said the star . " Wait until I come lower over the mountain where I picked you up . " Coyote looked down at the earth . He thought it seemed quite near . " I 'm tired , star ; I think I 'll leave now ; we 're low enough , " he said , and let go . Coyote had made a bad mistake . He dropped down , down , down . He fell for a full ten winters . He plopped through the earth clouds at last and when he finally hit ground , he was flattened like a tanned stretched deerskin . So he died right there . Now , the Great Mystery Power had amused himself by giving Coyote several lives . It took Coyote quite a few winters , however , to pull himself up again and into his old shape . He had grown quite a bit older in all that time , but he had not grown less foolish , he boasted : " Who besides me could dance with stars , and fall out of the sky for ten long winters , and be flattened out like a deer hide , and live to tell the tale ? I am Coyote . I am powerful . I can do anything . " Coyote was sitting in front of his lodge one night , when from behind the mountain here rose a strange kind of star , a very fast one , trailing a long , shining tail . Coyote saEagle War FeathersA Cheyenne Legend A long , long time ago the Cheyenne warriors had not learned yet how to use eagle for their war ornaments . One of their men climbed a high mountain ; there he lay for five days , crying , without food . Some powerful being , he hoped , would see him and come to him , to teach him something great for his people . He was glad when he heard a voice say , " Try to be brave , no matter what comes , even if it might kill you . If you remember these words , you will bring great news to your people , and help them . " After a time he heard voices , and seven eagles came down , as if to fly away with him . But he was brave , as he had been told , though he continued to cry and keep his eyes closed . Now the great eagles surrounded him . One said , " Look at me . I am powerful , and I have wonderfully strong feathers . I am greater than all other animals and birds in the world . " This powerful eagle showed the man his wings and his tail , and he spread all his feathers as wide as possible . He showed him how to make war head - dresses and ornaments out of eagle feathers . " Your people must use only eagle feathers , and it would be a great help to them in war and bring them victories , " eagle said . Since no loose feathers were about , the seven eagles shook themselves , and plenty of feathers fell to the ground . The Cheyenne picked them up and gratefully took them home to his tribe . On that day , eagle feathers were seen for the first time by the Cheyenne and they knew where they came from . The man showed his people how to make war ornaments from the eagle feathers , as he had been told . From that day onward , the man became a great warrior in his tribe , and their leader in war parties . He became so successful his people named him Chief Eagle Feather and he wore his Eagle Feather War Bonnet , as he led the Cheyennes with dignity and pride . Falling StarA Cheyenne Legend One day in the long ago , two young girls were lying on the grass outside their tipi on a warm summer evening . They were looking up into the sky , describing star - pictures formed by their imaginations . " That is a pretty star . I like that one , " said First Girl . " I like that one best of all - - over there , " Second Girl pointed . First Girl pointed to the brightest star in the sky and said , " I like the brightest one best of all . That is the one I want to marry . " That evening they agreed to go out the next day to gather wood . Next morning they started for the timbered area . On their way they saw a porcupine climb a tree . " I 'll climb the tree and pull him down , " said First Girl . She climbed but could not reach the porcupine . Every time she stretched her hand for him , the porcupine climbed a little higher . Then the tree started growing taller . Second Girl below called to her friend . " Please come down , the tree is growing taller ! " " No , " said First Girl as the porcupine climbed higher and the tree grew taller . Second Girl could see what was happening , so she ran back to the camp and told her people . They rushed to the tree , but First Girl had completely disappeared ! The tree continued to grow higher and higher . Finally , First Girl reached another land . She stepped off the tree branch and walked upon the sky ! Before long she met a kindly looking middle - aged man who spoke to her . First Girl began to cry . " Whatever is the matter ? Only last night I heard you wish that you could marry me . I am the Brightest - Star , " he said . First Girl was pleased to meet Brightest - Star and became happy again when she got her wish and married him . He told her that she could dig roots with the other star - women , but to beware of a certain kind of white turnip with a great green top . This kind she must never dig . To do so was " against the medicine " - - against the rules of the Sky - Chief . Every day First Girl dug roots . Her curiosity about the strange white turnip became so intense that she decided to dig up one of them . It took her a long , long time . When she finally puThe buffalo formerly ate man . The magpie and the hawk were on the side of the people , for neither ate the other or the people . These two birds flew away from a council between animals and men . They determined that a race would be held , the winners to eat the losers . The course was long , around a mountain . The swiftest buffalo was a cow called Neika , " swift head . " She believed she could win and entered the race . On the other hand , the people were afraid of the long distance . They were trying to get medicine to prevent fatigue . All the birds and animals painted themselves for the race , and since that time they have all been brightly colored . Even the water turtle put red paint around his eyes . The magpie painted himself white on the head , shoulders , and tail . At last all were ready for the race , and stood in a row for the start . They ran and ran , making some loud noises in place of singing to help themselves to run faster . All small birds , turtles , rabbits , coyotes , wolves , flies , ants , insects , and snakes were soon left far behind . When they approached the mountain the buffalo - cow was ahead ; then came the magpie , hawk , and the people ; the rest were strung out along the way . The dust rose so quickly that nothing could be seen . All around the mountain the buffalo - cow led the race , but the two birds knew they could win , and merely kept up with her until they neared the finish line , which was back to the starting place . Then both birds whooshed by her and won the race for man . As they flew the course , they had seen fallen animals and birds all over the place , who had run themselves to death , turning the ground and rocks red from the blood . The buffalo then told their young to hide from the people , who were going out to hunt them ; and also told them to take some human flesh with them for the last time . The young buffaloes did this , and stuck that meat in front of their chests , beneath the throat . Therefore , the people do not eat that part of the buffalo , saying it is part human flesh . From that day forward the Cheyenne began When the battle was finally almost over , all of the Mouse Road 's Cheyenne brothers lay dead . But Mouse road had fought with such skill and courage that his Crow enemies sent a word bringer to his rifle pit . " We will not kill you , " they said , " for you are a brave and honorable man , a worthy enemy . In you we see the same traits we admire in our men . We will draw off now while you ride away in peace . Go , brave one . " " I will not thank you for your praise , " Mouse Road replied , " for your words are only truth and I have earned them . I also trust your words . But , there around me lie my comrades , dead as stones . I trained for war with them , learned the secrets of the hunt with them and bounced their children on my knee . How will I return to my village without them ? " Why would I want to ? Come and finish this sport . I am for you . " And three more " Mouse " enemies were sent under that day before the last Cheyenne brave was slain . Origin of the BuffaloA Cheyenne Legend Long ago , a tribe of Cheyenne hunters lived at the head of a rushing stream , which eventually emptied into a large cave . Because of the great need for a new food supply for his people , the Chief called a council meeting . " we should explore the large cave , " he told his people . " How many brave hunters will offer to go on this venture ? Of course , it may be very dangerous , but we have brave hunters . " No one responded to the chief 's request . Finally , one young brave painted himself for hunting and stepped forth , replying to the Chief , " I will go and sacrifice myself for our people . " He arrived at the cave , and to his surprise , first Brave found two other Cheyenne hunters near the opening , where the stream rushed underground . " Are they here to taunt me , " First Brave wondered ? " Will they only pretend to jump when I do ? " But the other two braves assured him they would go . " No , you are mistaken about us . We really do want to enter the cave with you , " they said . First brave then joined hands with them and together they jumped into the huge opening of the cave . Because of the darkness , it took some time for their eyes to adjust . They then discovered what looked like a door . First Brave knocked , but there was no response . He knocked again , louder . " What do you want , my brave ones ? " asked an old Indian grandmother as she opened her door . " Grandmother , we are searching for a new food supply for our tribe , " First Brave replied . " Our people never seem to have enough food to eat . " " Are you hungry now ? " she asked . " Oh , yes , kind Grandmother , we are very hungry , " all three braves answered . The old grandmother opened her door wide , inviting the young braves to enter . " Look out there ! " she pointed for them to look through her window . A beautiful wide prairie stretched before their eyes . Great herds of buffalo were grazing contentedly . The young hunters could hardly believe what they saw ! The old grandmother brought each of them a stone pan full of buffalo meat . How good it tasted , as they ate and ate until they were filled . To their surprise , more bThere was a time when all the animals lived in peace , when no one ate anyone else . All the animals were the same color , because they had not yet painted their faces . Buffalo was the largest and strongest of the animals , and he was getting hungry . He wanted to be the chief of all the animals . He wanted to draw strength from all the other animals by eating their flesh . Buffalo wanted to become the eater of all the animals . The Human People also said that they should become the chief of all the animals . People wanted to draw strength from all the other animals by eating their flesh . People wanted to become the eaters of all the other animals . Buffalo challenged the Human People to a race , the winner of the race would become the chief of all the animals . The people said that they would accept such a challenge , but since buffaloes have four legs and People have only two , the People claimed the right to have another animal run the race in the People 's place . The buffaloes consented . The People chose the bird People to represent them in the race . They chose Hummingbird , Meadow lark , Hawk , and Magpie . All the other animals and birds wanted to join the race , too , each of them thinking that just maybe they too had a chance to become chief of all the animals . All the animals took paint and painted their faces for the race , each according to his or her spiritual vision . Skunk painted a white stripe on himself and his symbol for the race . Antelope painted himself the color of the earth for the race . Raccoon painted black circles around his eyes and around his tail . Robin painted herself brown with a red breastplate . The race was to be held at the edge of the Black Hills at the place known as Buffalo Gap . The competitors would race from the starting line sticks to the turn around stick and then back to the starting line . All the animals , painted according to their vision , lined up between the sticks . Among the animals were the Bird People , who would run the race with their wings for the Human People , and Runs Slender Buffalo , the faSun had beautiful , wonder - working leggings which could set the prairie on fire and drive the game toward the hunter 's bow . Veeho , the clever trickster , greatly admired them , and one day when he came to visit , he sneaked off with them when Sun was not looking . Chuckling , Veeho said to himself , " Now I can work many miracles and be the world 's greatest hunter . " Toward evening he was tired from running so fast and far . " Sun can 't catch up with me now , " he decided . Rolling up the magic leggings and placing them under his head for a pillow , he lay down to sleep . He slept well , but in the morning he found himself back inside Sun 's tipi . Veeho is so stupid he didn 't know that all the world is contained within Sun 's lodge . But though he was surprised to wake up there after having run so far and fast , he is hard to embarrass . Sun smiled and said : " What are you doing with my leggings ? " Veeho may be stupid , but he is never at a loss for an answer . He said , " I just put my head on them to sleep softly . I knew you wouldn 't mind . " " I don 't mind , " said Sun . " You can use them as a pillow if you want to . " Sun knew very well that Veeho was lying , as usual , and meant to steal the wonder - working leggings again . But he only said , " Well , I must go walk my daily path . " " Don 't hurry back , " said Veeho . " I 'll keep an eye on your lodge . " Once he could no longer see Sun , Veeho ran off with the leggings again , this time twice as fast and twice as far . Again he went to sleep and again woke to find himself back inside Sun 's tipi . Sun laughed and told Veeho , " If you 're that fond of my leggings , you can keep them . Let 's pretend that I 'm holding a giveaway feast and that you got these as a present . " Veeho was overjoyed . " I never meant to steal these beautiful leggings , friend Sun . You know me - - I 'm always up to some trick ; I was only fooling . But now that you 've given them to me of your own free will , I gladly accept . " Veeho could hardly wait to get away from Sun 's lodge and put on the leggings . Wearing them , he ran over the prairie and ignited the grass to There was a man that could send his eyes out of his head , on the limb of a tree , and call them back again , by saying " Eyes hang upon a branch . " White - man saw him doing this , and came to him crying ; he wanted to learn this too . The man taught him , but warned him not to do it more than four times in one day . White - man went off along the river . When he came to the highest tree he could see , he sent his eyes to the top . Then he called them back . He thought he could do this as often as he wished , disregarding the warning . The fifth time his eyes remained fastened to the limb . All day he called , but the eyes began to swell and spoil , and flies gathered on them . White - man grew tired and lay down , facing his eyes , still calling for them , though they never came ; and he cried . At night he was half asleep , when mouse ran over him . He closed his lids that the mice would not see he was blind , and lay still , in order to catch one . At last one sat on his breast . He kept quiet to let it become used to him , and the mouse went on his face , trying to cut his hair for its nest . Then it licked his tears , but let its tail hang in his mouth . He closed it , and caught the mouse . He seized it tightly , and made it guide him , telling him of his misfortune . The mouse said it could see the eye , and they had swelled to an enormous size . It offered to climb the tree and get them for him , but White - man would not let it go . It tried to wriggle free , but he held it fast . Then the mouse asked on what condition he would release it , and White - man said , only if it gave him one of its eyes . So it gave him one , and he could see again , and let the mouse go . But the small eye was far back in his socket , and he could not see very well with it . A buffalo was grazing near by , and as White - man stood near him crying , he looked on and wondered . White - man said : " Here is a buffalo , who has the power to help me in my trouble . " So the Buffalo asked him what he wanted . White - man told him he had lost his eye and needed one . The buffalo took out one of his and put it in WhA chief had a fine - looking daughter . She had a great many admirers . At night she was visited by a young man , but she did not know who he was . She worried about this and determined to discover him . She put red paint near her bed . When he crawled on her bed , she put her hand into the paint . When they embraced , she left red marks on his back . The next day she told her father to call all the young men to a dance in front of his tent . They all came , and the whole village turned out to see them . She watched all that came , looking for the red marks she had made . As she turned about , she caught sight of one of her father 's dogs with red marks on his back . This made her so unhappy and she went straight into her tent . This broke up the dance . The next day she went into the woods near the camp , taking the dog on a string . She hit him . He finally broke loose . She was very unhappy , and several months later she bore seven pups . She told her mother to kill them , but her mother was kind toward them and made a little shelter for them . They began to grow , and sometimes at night the old dog came to them . After a time , the woman began to take an interest in them and sometimes played with them . When they were big enough to run , the old dog came and took them away . When the woman went to see them in the morning , they were gone . She saw the large dog 's tracks and several little ones , and followed them at a distance . She was sad and cried . She returned to her mother and said , " Mother , make me seven pairs of moccasins . I am going to follow the little ones , searching for them . " Her mother made seven pairs of moccasins , and the woman started out , tracking them all the way . Finally , in a distance , she saw a tent . The youngest one came to her and said , " Mother , Father wants you to go back . We are going home . You cannot come . " She said , " No ! Wherever you go , I go . " She took the little one and carried him to the tent . She entered and saw a young man , who took no notice of her . He gave her a little meat and drink , which did not grow less no matterWhen the Cheyenne were still in the north , they camped in a large circle at whose entrance a deep , rapid spring flowed from a hillside . The spring provided the camp with water , but food was harder to find . The buffalo had disappeared , and many people went hungry . One bright day some men were playing the game of ring and javelin in the center of the camp circle . They used a red and black hoop and four long sticks , two red and two black , which they threw at the hoop as it rolled along . In order to win , a player had to throw his stick through the hoop while it was still moving . A large audience had already gathered when a young man came from the south side of the camp circle to join them . He wore a buffalo robe with the hair turned outward . His body was painted yellow , and a yellow - painted eagle breach - feather was fastened to his head . Soon another young man dressed exactly like the first came from the north side of the circle to watch the game . They were unacquainted , but when the two caught sight of each other they moved through the crowd to talk . " My friend , " said the man from the south side , " you 're imitating my dress . Why are you doing it ? " The other man said , " It 's you who are imitating me . Why ? " In their explanations , both men told the same story . They had entered the spring that flowed out from the hillside , and there they had been instructed how to dress . By now the crowd had stopped watching the game and gathered around to listen , and the young men told the people that they would go into the spring again and come out soon . As the crowd watched , the two approached the spring . The man from the south covered his head with his buffalo robe and entered . The other did the same . The young men splashed through the water and soon found themselves in a large cave . Near the entrance sat an old woman cooking some buffalo meat and corn in two separate earthen pots . She welcomed them : " Grandchildren , you have come . Here , sit beside me . " They sat down , one on each side of her , and told her that the people were hungry and that t