THE CHIPMUNK
by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey · from Once upon a time animal stories
Adapted Version
Once, a chipmunk lived in a forest. He loved to talk. He talked and talked all day. Little Chipmunk boasted. He said, "I am fast!" He said, "I am brave!" Animals did not like this. His loud voice bothered them.
Blue Jay flew to Wise Grandfather Chipmunk. "Your grandson talks too much," he said. Frog came too. He said, "I cannot sing." Grandfather Chipmunk listened. He was very wise.
Wise Grandfather Chipmunk spoke to Little Chipmunk. "Do not talk so much," he said. "Big Hunter will hear you." He said, "Be careful!" Little Chipmunk did not listen. He thought he was safe.
Little Chipmunk went out. He talked and talked. He climbed a tall tree. Then he saw the Big Hunter. The Big Hunter was tall and strong. He looked up at the tree.
Little Chipmunk thought fast. He threw some nuts down. The Big Hunter looked at the nuts. Little Chipmunk ran down. He ran on the other side. He ran home very fast.
Next day, Little Chipmunk talked more. He climbed another tree. The Big Hunter came again. Little Chipmunk threw twigs down. He ran away again. He felt very bold.
On the third day, Little Chipmunk was proud. "The Big Hunter cannot catch me!" he said. He said it very loud. He talked and talked. He felt very brave.
The Big Hunter came. He stood under the tree. "Come down!" he called. Little Chipmunk came down. He wanted to run. He wanted to play a game.
Little Chipmunk ran fast. The Big Hunter ran after him. He ran very fast too. He got close to Little Chipmunk. Little Chipmunk ran and ran.
Little Chipmunk was scared. He did not talk now. His voice was quiet. He just ran. He ran as fast as he could. He wanted his home.
Little Chipmunk ran to his home. He was near the door. The Big Hunter reached out. His hand touched the chipmunk's back. It was a quick touch.
Little Chipmunk ran inside. He was safe now. But look! He had white lines on his back. The Big Hunter's fingers made them. They stay there always.
Chipmunks have white stripes on their backs. It reminds to not talk much. Listen to wise words.
Original Story
THE CHIPMUNK
WHO CHATTERED
TOO MUCH.
Once upon a time, when Indians and animals lived together in the same forest and animals could speak, the Chipmunk was the greatest talker of them all.
He lived in a lodge in the middle of the woods with his grandfather who was very old and wise as well. But the Chipmunk was young, and very daring. He was able to run so fast and climb trees, and jump from one branch to another that he thought nothing in the world could harm him. He had a louder voice then than he has now. He chattered all day long, boasting about himself. At last he became very tiresome to the other animals.
They came at last and spoke to the Chipmunk’s grandfather about him.
“Your grandson chatters so loudly,” scolded the Blue Jay, “that the birds are not able to hear me when I warn them of danger in the forest.”
And the Frog came to the Chipmunk’s grandfather with tears in his eyes. “Your grandson chatters so loudly,” croaked the Frog, “that no one can hear me when I sing on the edge of the stream in the evening.”
It was quite true. The Chipmunk talked and boasted all the time. He chattered as he started out from his lodge in the morning and all the way down the path to let every one know that he was on his way. He chattered when he came to a nut tree and when he picked up some nuts. He had pockets in his cheeks, so he could chatter even when he came home with a mouthful of nuts. There seemed to be no way of keeping this young Chipmunk quiet, and at last his grandfather decided to speak to him about it.
“You are not using your voice as it was meant that you should, my son,” said the Chipmunk’s grandfather. “All the creatures in feathers and fur in the forest speak for a reason. The Ground Hog whistles to call his young, and the Frog croaks when wild beasts creep toward the lodges, and the Robin sings of rain. But you, my son, chatter for no reason except your foolish pride. Beware! the Great Chief will hear you and catch you some day if you do not stop!”
The Chipmunk thought that night of what his grandfather had said. But when morning came, he forgot all about it and took his noisy way through the woods again. He made just as much noise as he could, even after he had reached a hickory-nut tree, and climbed up among the branches.
Suddenly, though, he was still. He heard the leaves on the ground rustle and the twigs crackle with heavy footsteps. Peering down between the branches, the Chipmunk saw the Great Chief of whom his grandfather had warned him. He looked as tall as a young tree and as dark as a thunder cloud. He carried a long bow and a quiver of arrows. He had come for the Chipmunk, and he waited under the tree, looking up among the branches to see when he should come down.
But the leaves on the branches hid the Chipmunk. He gathered a handful of nuts and tossed them down. The Great Chief was thrown off his guard by the trick. He jumped, thinking it was the Chipmunk, but the little fellow scampered down the other side of the tree. He got home to his lodge in safety.
The next day the Chipmunk was even more noisy than ever as he started out. He reached a tree, climbed up in it, and again the Great Chief came with his bow and arrows to kill the chattering little pest. But the Chipmunk gathered a handful of twigs which he threw down at the feet of the Great Chief.
“Here I come,” the Chipmunk chattered. As the Great Chief watched to see him follow the twigs he dropped down on the other side of the tree and once more reached home safe.
When the Chipmunk started out the third morning he had a great piece of news to tell the whole world. He told it just as loudly as he could.
“The Great Chief can’t catch me. He can’t catch me,” boasted the Chipmunk.
He kept on chattering this after he had scampered up a tree, and a very bold plan entered his head.
The Great Chief came at last. He strode angrily until he came to the tree where the Chipmunk sat looking down at him.
“Come down! Come down from this tree!” called the Great Chief in a loud voice.
That was just what the Chipmunk planned to do. He was going to come down and dare the Great Chief to catch him. He felt that he would be safe in doing this. So the Chipmunk came down and stood a second, chattering to the Great Chief, who was so surprised that he did not move at first.
Then the Chipmunk ran and the Great Chief ran after him. It was a race for life, the Chipmunk soon found out, for the Great Chief gained at every step. The Chipmunk leaped and jumped, and panted for breath. On, and on they went, in and out among the trees. The Chipmunk lost his loud voice in fear and no other member of the family has had such a loud one since that day. He could see his lodge with his grandfather waiting for him in the door, but it did not seem possible that he could reach it.
Oh, there he was at the door; but just as he went inside the Great Chief took hold of the Chipmunk with his strong fingers. Although the Chipmunk pulled himself loose, he had a row of long white stripes on his back where the Great Chief had clutched him.
And every other Chipmunk, since then, has had white stripes on his back, because of the first Chipmunk who chattered too much.
Story DNA
Moral
Boasting and excessive chatter can lead to dangerous consequences and lasting marks.
Plot Summary
A young, boastful chipmunk constantly chatters, annoying other forest animals. His wise grandfather warns him that his pride will attract the dangerous Great Chief, but the chipmunk ignores him. After two narrow escapes from the Chief, the chipmunk becomes even more arrogant and deliberately challenges him. This leads to a frantic chase, during which the chipmunk loses his loud voice, and though he barely reaches his lodge, the Great Chief's grasp leaves permanent white stripes on his back, a mark inherited by all chipmunks since.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to fear to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a common motif in Native American folklore where animal characteristics are explained through a past event or interaction with humans/spirits.
Plot Beats (13)
- The Chipmunk is the greatest talker in the forest, constantly boasting and chattering, annoying other animals.
- Other animals complain to the Chipmunk's wise grandfather about his grandson's excessive noise.
- The grandfather warns the Chipmunk that his prideful chattering will attract the Great Chief, but the Chipmunk dismisses the warning.
- The Chipmunk goes out chattering, but suddenly sees the Great Chief waiting for him under a tree.
- The Chipmunk throws nuts to distract the Great Chief and escapes down the other side of the tree.
- The next day, the Chipmunk is even noisier, and again encounters the Great Chief, escaping by throwing twigs and dropping down the other side.
- On the third day, the Chipmunk loudly boasts that the Great Chief cannot catch him, feeling very bold.
- The Great Chief arrives, and the Chipmunk, in his arrogance, comes down from the tree to challenge him.
- A desperate chase ensues, with the Great Chief gaining on the Chipmunk.
- The Chipmunk loses his loud voice in fear during the chase.
- Just as the Chipmunk reaches his lodge, the Great Chief grabs him.
- The Chipmunk pulls free, but the Great Chief's fingers leave permanent white stripes on his back.
- All chipmunks since have had these white stripes as a reminder of the first Chipmunk who chattered too much.
Characters
The Chipmunk ★ protagonist
A small, agile rodent with a slender body, quick movements, and a bushy tail. Before his encounter with the Great Chief, he was described as having a louder voice than chipmunks do now. After the encounter, he gained a distinctive row of long white stripes on his back, a feature passed down to all chipmunks.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To show off his speed and agility, to be heard, and to prove he is untouchable. Later, his motivation becomes pure survival.
Flaw: Excessive pride and an inability to stop chattering, which draws unwanted attention and puts him in danger.
Starts as an overly proud and boastful creature who ignores warnings. Through a terrifying chase, he learns humility and the consequences of his actions, losing his loud voice and gaining his iconic stripes. This experience changes his nature and that of his species forever.
Boastful, daring, proud, talkative, and initially heedless of warnings. He is also clever and resourceful, using tricks to escape danger.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, slender chipmunk standing on its hind legs, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has reddish-brown fur, bright black eyes, and a tiny nose. A prominent row of three long white stripes runs down its back. Its bushy tail is slightly curled behind it. It has small cheek pouches, currently empty. Its posture is alert and slightly nervous, with a hint of past bravado. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Chipmunk's Grandfather ◆ supporting
An old chipmunk, likely with slightly faded fur and perhaps a more stooped posture than his grandson. He embodies wisdom and experience.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To guide and protect his grandson, to instill wisdom and caution, and to ensure his grandson uses his voice responsibly.
Flaw: His inability to fully control his grandson's impulsive nature.
Remains a steady, wise figure throughout the story, serving as a moral compass. He does not change but acts as a catalyst for his grandson's change.
Wise, patient, concerned, traditional, and a good communicator, explaining the purpose of voices in nature.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly chipmunk standing calmly, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has slightly faded reddish-brown fur, wise, dark eyes, and a gentle expression. Its posture is slightly hunched with age, but still alert. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Great Chief ⚔ antagonist
Tall and imposing, described as 'tall as a young tree and as dark as a thunder cloud.' He possesses strong, capable fingers. His build is powerful and athletic, suited for hunting.
Attire: Simple, practical hunting attire made of natural materials like deerskin or buckskin, in earthy tones. He would wear leggings, a tunic, and possibly moccasins. No elaborate adornments, focusing on utility for the hunt.
Wants: To silence the noisy Chipmunk, whom he perceives as a 'chattering little pest' disrupting the forest. Later, his motivation becomes catching the Chipmunk out of frustration and anger.
Flaw: Initially, his predictability and susceptibility to simple tricks. His anger also makes him more focused on the chase than on strategy.
Starts as a patient hunter, then becomes increasingly frustrated and angry by the Chipmunk's taunts and evasions. His actions lead directly to the Chipmunk's transformation.
Determined, patient (initially), easily tricked (initially), but grows increasingly angry and relentless in his pursuit. He is a skilled hunter.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tall, muscular Native American man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has dark, braided hair, a stern expression, and dark, piercing eyes. His skin is a deep, earthy brown. He wears a simple, practical deerskin tunic and leggings in muted brown tones, with fringe detailing. He holds a long wooden bow in his left hand and a quiver of feathered arrows is slung over his back. His posture is powerful and determined. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Chipmunk's Lodge
A dwelling in the middle of the woods, likely a simple, natural structure suitable for small animals, perhaps a burrow or a hollow log, where the Chipmunk lives with his wise grandfather.
Mood: Initially a place of safety and comfort, later becomes a desperate refuge.
The Chipmunk starts his day from here, returns for safety, and barely makes it inside during the chase.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, well-hidden lodge entrance nestled at the base of a large, moss-covered tree root in a dense forest. Sunlight filters through the overhead canopy, dappling the forest floor which is covered in fallen leaves and pine needles. A weathered, rough-hewn wooden door, slightly ajar, reveals a glimpse of a dark interior. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Forest Path
A winding path through the woods, where the Chipmunk travels daily, chattering loudly. The path is surrounded by trees and ground cover.
Mood: Initially lively and boastful, later becomes a desperate escape route.
The Chipmunk's daily route for boasting, and later the scene of the frantic chase with the Great Chief.
Image Prompt & Upload
A narrow, winding dirt path disappearing into a dense, sun-dappled deciduous forest. Tall, straight tree trunks with rough bark rise on either side, their branches forming a thick canopy overhead. The ground is covered in a rich carpet of fallen leaves, small ferns, and scattered twigs, with patches of sunlight breaking through the foliage. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Hickory-nut Tree / Nut Tree
A tall tree, likely a hickory or another nut-bearing species, with branches dense enough to hide the Chipmunk. The ground beneath is covered in leaves and twigs.
Mood: Initially a place of foraging and safety, then a tense hiding spot, and finally a stage for daring defiance.
The Chipmunk climbs these trees to gather nuts and to hide from the Great Chief, using tricks to escape.
Image Prompt & Upload
A massive, ancient hickory tree with a thick, gnarled trunk and sprawling branches covered in dense, green leaves. Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor below, which is strewn with fallen leaves, small branches, and scattered hickory nuts. The ground around the base of the tree is soft earth, with some exposed roots. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
