LITTLE FOOTSTEPS
by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey · from Once upon a time animal stories
Adapted Version
Once there was a little boy. His name was Footsteps Upon the Water. He was very fast. He ran after a squirrel. He lost home.
The squirrel went into a hollow log. Footsteps Upon the Water went in. He was too big. He got stuck. He could not get out.
His father looked for him. His mother was sad. Footsteps Upon the Water was stuck. He was very scared. He cried.
Grandmother Porcupine heard him. She heard him cry. She walked three days. She walked three nights. She found the little boy.
She tried to get him out. She could not. She went to her home. She got her three grandsons. They came to help.
Grandmother Porcupine scratched the log. Her grandsons scratched too. They scratched and scratched. Footsteps Upon the Water crawled out. He was free now.
Grandmother Porcupine called her friends. Wolf came. Deer came. Mother Bear came. They all sat in a circle. They talked about the boy.
"Wolf cannot be his mother." Teeth too sharp. "Deer cannot be his mother." She travels much.
Mother Bear said, "I will be his mother. My home is warm. I have berries and nuts." Grandmother Porcupine said, "Yes. Cubs play gently."
Footsteps Upon the Water lived with Mother Bear. He played with the cubs. They played all summer. They slept all winter. He was very happy.
Mother Bear taught the children. "Run from men with bows." Be safe.
A man came to their home. Mother Bear chased him away. She used a big stick. The man came again. She threw feathers at him. He ran away fast.
The man came a third time. He tried to hurt Mother Bear. He shot an arrow. The arrow hit her bundle. Mother Bear was not hurt. She was safe.
The man ran to the boy. "My lost boy!" he cried. It was Footsteps Upon the Water's Father. He was very happy. He found his son.
Father said sorry to Mother Bear. He said, "Come to my home. Visit my wigwam." Mother Bear and cubs came. They were friends.
Footsteps Upon the Water went home. He went with his father. He never forgot Mother Bear. She was very kind. Love is everywhere.
Original Story
LITTLE FOOTSTEPS
UPON THE WATER.
Once upon a time there was a little Indian boy, and his name was Footsteps Upon the Water because he could run so fast and so softly.
One day, little Footsteps Upon the Water was chasing a squirrel, and he ran so far and so wide that he lost sight of home, and he could not find his way back. On and on ran the squirrel until it came at last to a hollow tree, and it went inside to hide. Footsteps Upon the Water went inside, too, but he was not so small as the squirrel. Out of the log ran the squirrel, but the little boy could not get out. He was stuck fast inside the hollow tree.
His father looked for the little boy many moons. His mother sat at home in the wigwam, crying, but Footsteps Upon the Water did not come back. He lay in the log, and he pounded and shouted, and he thought no one was ever coming to let him out.
But one morning, as he rapped, he heard, on the outside, rap, rap, rap, and a shrill voice calling:
“Footsteps Upon the Water, are you there? Are you there?”
Then a wrinkled, brown face, with a fringe of arrows for a cap, peered in at the end of the log. It was Grandmother Porcupine come to help the little boy out.
“I traveled three days and three nights, little Footsteps Upon the Water, because I heard you cry,” said Grandmother Porcupine.
Then she scratched and she scratched at the end of the log, but she could not get the little boy out.
“I will bring my three grandsons,” said Grandmother Porcupine, and she hurried away to the old hemlock tree where her grandsons lived. She brought them back with her, and they all scratched at the end of the hollow log until at last the little boy was able to crawl out.
Footsteps Upon the Water winked and blinked his eyes when he came outside, for he had not seen the sun in many days. There, in a circle, sat Grandmother Porcupine, her three grandsons, the old Bear, the Deer, and the Wolf.
“Now, who will be a mother to this little boy?” said Grandmother Porcupine; “I am too old to take care of him.”
“I will be his mother,” said the Wolf.
“No, indeed,” said Grandmother Porcupine, “your teeth are too sharp.”
“I will be his mother,” said the Deer.
“No, indeed,” said Grandmother Porcupine, “you are always traveling. Your husband would carry little Footsteps Upon the Water on his back wherever he went, and the little boy would have no home in the winter.”
“I will be his mother,” said the good old Bear; “I have a warm house in the rocks with plenty to eat in my pantry,—berries, and nuts, and honey.”
“You may have little Footsteps Upon the Water,” said Grandmother Porcupine, “but be sure that your cubs do not teach him any rough tricks.”
So Footsteps Upon the Water went home to the Bear’s house, a cave in the rocks, with little rooms just like a real house. It was a fine place in which to live.
All summer the little boy played with the cubs. When it was late in the fall, and the days were short and dark, and the nights were cold, Mother Bear tucked them all in bed and they slept until spring.
Then came another summer, and other Bear people stopped to call upon them, saying:
“We know a fine berry patch.”
So they would all go away together to pick strawberries, or blackberries, or gooseberries. After a while, they went for chestnuts, and that was the most fun of all.
But Mother Bear taught Footsteps Upon the Water and the little cubs to run always when they saw a man with a bow and arrows. One day, a man came very close to the Bear’s house, but Mother Bear chased him with a forked stick, and he went away.
The next day, the man came again, just as the family was starting out for chestnuts. Mother Bear threw a bag of feathers at the man so that he was not able to see, and he ran away.
The third day, the man came again. Mother Bear was starting out for a neighbor’s house with a bundle upon her back. She chased the man with her forked stick, she threw some more feathers at him, but it did no good. The man shot an arrow at Mother Bear, and she fell to the ground.
“Oh, good Mother Bear,” cried little Footsteps Upon the Water, running out to help her, “such a cruel man to hurt my good Mother Bear!”
But the arrow had stuck fast in Mother Bear’s bundle, and she was not hurt at all. And the man ran up to little Footsteps Upon the Water, crying:
“My little lost boy, my little lost boy,” for it was Footsteps Upon the Water’s own father.
Then he told Mother Bear how sorry he was that he had tried to hurt her, and he invited her and all the cubs to come for a visit to the wigwam.
And little Footsteps Upon the Water went home, but he never forgot how good old Mother Bear had been to him.
Story DNA
Moral
Kindness and compassion can be found in unexpected places, and true family extends beyond blood.
Plot Summary
A swift Indian boy named Footsteps Upon the Water gets lost and stuck in a hollow log. Grandmother Porcupine and her grandsons free him, then arrange for the kind Mother Bear to adopt and raise him alongside her cubs. Footsteps Upon the Water lives happily in the wilderness, learning to avoid human hunters. After a series of confrontations with a persistent hunter, it is revealed that the man is his own father, who had been searching for him. The father apologizes to Mother Bear, and Footsteps Upon the Water returns home, forever grateful for his animal family.
Themes
Emotional Arc
loss to belonging
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story reflects a romanticized, early 20th-century American interpretation of Native American life and folklore, often simplifying complex cultural elements for a young audience.
Plot Beats (16)
- Footsteps Upon the Water, a swift Indian boy, gets lost chasing a squirrel.
- He follows the squirrel into a hollow tree and gets stuck inside.
- His parents search for him for many moons, but he remains trapped and despairing.
- Grandmother Porcupine hears his cries and, after three days and nights, finds him.
- She tries to free him but cannot, so she brings her three grandsons to help.
- Together, Grandmother Porcupine and her grandsons scratch at the log until Footsteps Upon the Water can crawl out.
- Grandmother Porcupine gathers other animals (Wolf, Deer, Bear) to decide who will care for the boy.
- She rejects the Wolf for sharp teeth and the Deer for constant traveling.
- The good old Bear offers a warm home with food, and Grandmother Porcupine approves, warning her to keep the cubs from teaching rough tricks.
- Footsteps Upon the Water lives happily with Mother Bear and her cubs, playing all summer and hibernating in winter.
- Mother Bear teaches the children to run from men with bows and arrows.
- A man repeatedly approaches the Bear's house; Mother Bear chases him with a stick and throws feathers at him.
- On the third encounter, the man shoots an arrow at Mother Bear, but it gets stuck in her bundle, leaving her unharmed.
- The man reveals himself to be Footsteps Upon the Water's father, overjoyed to find his lost son.
- The father apologizes to Mother Bear and invites her and the cubs to visit his wigwam.
- Footsteps Upon the Water returns home with his father, always remembering Mother Bear's goodness.
Characters
Footsteps Upon the Water ★ protagonist
A small, agile Native American boy, likely of a slender build due to his speed. His movements are quick and light, as suggested by his name.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a young boy in a forest environment, likely made of deerskin or woven plant fibers. Perhaps a tunic and leggings, in earthy tones.
Wants: Initially, the simple joy of play and exploration. Later, survival and finding a home, and ultimately, reuniting with his family while cherishing his adopted one.
Flaw: His youthful curiosity and lack of caution lead him to get lost and stuck.
He transforms from a lost and helpless child to one who finds a loving, if unconventional, family. He learns about different ways of life and the importance of kindness, eventually reuniting with his birth family with a broadened perspective.
Curious, playful, resilient, affectionate, and appreciative. He is initially driven by play (chasing a squirrel) but shows resilience when trapped and deep affection for Mother Bear.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Native American boy, slender and agile, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has dark, straight hair cut short, dark brown eyes, and warm brown skin. He wears a simple, light brown deerskin tunic with fringed edges and matching leggings. His expression is curious and slightly playful. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Grandmother Porcupine ◆ supporting
An old porcupine with a wrinkled, brown face. Her quills are described as a 'fringe of arrows for a cap', suggesting they are prominent and perhaps slightly disheveled with age.
Attire: Natural porcupine quills and fur, no clothing.
Wants: To help a child in distress and ensure his well-being.
Flaw: Her old age limits her physical strength, requiring her to seek help from her grandsons.
She acts as a catalyst for Footsteps Upon the Water's rescue and placement, demonstrating her inherent goodness and wisdom without undergoing a personal transformation.
Kind, wise, determined, and responsible. She takes initiative to help Footsteps Upon the Water and ensures he finds a suitable guardian.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly porcupine standing on all fours, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a wrinkled, dark brown face with small, intelligent black eyes. Her quills are prominent, forming a spiky 'cap' around her head and covering her back, with a mix of dark and lighter brown tones. Her posture is slightly hunched, indicating age. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Mother Bear ◆ supporting
A large, strong, and good-natured bear. Her fur is thick and warm, suitable for living in a cave and hibernating.
Attire: Natural bear fur, no clothing.
Wants: To provide a safe and loving home for Footsteps Upon the Water and her cubs, and to protect them from harm.
Flaw: Her strong maternal instincts make her vulnerable when defending her children, though she is also clever.
She acts as a loving foster mother, providing a safe haven and teaching Footsteps Upon the Water valuable lessons. Her character remains consistent as a symbol of maternal love and protection.
Kind, protective, nurturing, resourceful, and brave. She is a loving mother figure who provides a warm home and teaches her children important life lessons.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, adult brown bear standing on her hind legs, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has thick, shaggy brown fur, a broad face with a dark snout, and kind, dark eyes. Her posture is protective and strong, with a gentle expression. She holds a sturdy, forked stick in one paw. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Footsteps Upon the Water's Father ◆ supporting
A Native American man, likely strong and capable, as he is a hunter and searches for his son for 'many moons'.
Attire: Traditional Native American hunting attire, likely made of deerskin, practical for tracking and living in the wilderness. Perhaps a tunic, leggings, and moccasins, in natural earth tones.
Wants: To find his lost son and bring him home.
Flaw: His initial misunderstanding and fear of the bear lead him to attack, almost harming his son's adoptive mother.
He transforms from a desperate hunter to a reunited father, learning to appreciate the kindness of other creatures and extending an invitation of friendship.
Persistent, loving, remorseful, and grateful. He tirelessly searches for his son and is deeply sorry for his actions against Mother Bear.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult Native American man, muscular and lean, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has long, dark, straight hair tied back, a strong jawline, and dark, expressive eyes. He wears a fitted deerskin tunic with simple geometric patterns, matching leggings, and moccasins. He holds a wooden bow in his left hand and a quiver of arrows on his back. His expression is one of profound relief and joy, with tears in his eyes. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Dense Forest with Hollow Tree
A dense, ancient forest with tall trees, likely hemlock and other native species. The ground is covered with leaves and undergrowth. A prominent feature is a large, hollow log or tree trunk, big enough for a small boy to get stuck inside.
Mood: Initially adventurous and playful, then becomes confining, dark, and desperate for the boy. Later, it becomes a place of rescue and gathering.
Footsteps Upon the Water gets lost and trapped in the hollow tree; he is later rescued here by Grandmother Porcupine and her grandsons, and the animals gather to decide his fate.
Image Prompt & Upload
A massive, ancient hollow log, its weathered bark covered in moss and lichen, lies partially obscured by dense undergrowth in a primeval North American forest. Sunlight filters in dappled patterns through a thick canopy of towering hemlock and pine trees, illuminating the rich, earthy tones of the forest floor. The entrance to the hollow is dark and foreboding, contrasting with the vibrant greens and browns of the surrounding wilderness. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Bear's Cave House
A natural cave in the rocks, adapted by Mother Bear into a comfortable home. It has 'little rooms just like a real house', suggesting a cozy, den-like interior.
Mood: Warm, safe, nurturing, and cozy. A place of refuge and family life.
Footsteps Upon the Water lives here with Mother Bear and her cubs for a long period, learning and growing. It is his home until he is reunited with his father.
Image Prompt & Upload
The interior of a spacious, natural rock cave, smoothed by time and habitation, with several smaller alcoves suggesting 'rooms'. Warm, golden light from an unseen opening illuminates the rough-hewn rock walls, revealing subtle mineral streaks and patches of dry moss. A simple, earthy 'pantry' area is visible, perhaps with natural shelves holding dried berries and nuts. The atmosphere is cozy and secure, with soft shadows deepening into the cave's recesses. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Berry Patch / Chestnut Grove
A wild, abundant area in the forest known for its berries (strawberries, blackberries, gooseberries) and later, chestnuts. It's a place for foraging and play.
Mood: Joyful, bountiful, and adventurous. A place of shared activity and natural abundance.
Footsteps Upon the Water and the bear cubs spend summers foraging here, learning about nature and danger (men with bows and arrows).
Image Prompt & Upload
A sun-drenched clearing within a vibrant deciduous forest, abundant with low-growing berry bushes laden with ripe red and black fruit. Towering chestnut trees with broad, green leaves cast dappled shadows across the rich, loamy forest floor. The air is bright and clear, with a sense of natural bounty and peaceful activity. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
