Manabozho and His Toe
by Unknown · from Tales of Laughter: A third fairy book
Adapted Version
Manabozho was a very big wizard. He thought he could do anything. He was very proud. Manabozho was strong. He did many great things. He felt very good. He thought he could do all things.
One day, Manabozho walked. He walked in a village. He saw a small child. The child lay in the sun. The child put its toe in its mouth. It looked very small.
Manabozho looked at the child. He did not see this before. He thought, "I am big. I am strong. I can do that too!" He was very sure.
Manabozho sat down. He tried to put his right foot up. He pulled his foot. He pulled it to his mouth. His foot was far away. He could not reach it.
Manabozho tried his left foot. He pulled his left foot. He pulled it to his mouth. It was also far away. He could not reach it. He felt very stuck.
Manabozho twisted his body. He bent his big legs. He tried very hard. He could not do it. He got very angry. He was very frustrated. He made a loud sound.
He stopped trying. He was very tired. He was very angry. He stood up slowly. He walked away. He was not happy.
The child woke up. The child heard Manabozho. The child laughed. "Ha ha ha!" Manabozho heard the laugh. He felt more angry.
Manabozho was very mad. He did not like the laugh. He did not hurt the child. He just walked away. He walked far away.
Manabozho walked home. He met a boy. The boy did not look at him. The boy was not polite. Manabozho did not like this.
Manabozho saw a small stone. He used his magic. The stone became a tiny tree. It was a pretty tree. The boy was surprised. The boy ran away fast. Manabozho felt strong again.
Manabozho walked away. He was still a big wizard. But he learned that day that some things are just for little children. And it is okay.
Original Story
Manabozho and his Toe
Manabozho, the great wizard of the Indians, was so powerful that he began to think there was nothing he could not do. Very wonderful were many of his feats, and he grew more conceited day by day. Now, it chanced that one day he was walking about amusing himself by exercising his extraordinary powers, and at length he came to an encampment where one of the first things he noticed was a child lying in the sunshine, curled up with its toe in its mouth.
Manabozho looked at the child for some time, and wondered at its extraordinary posture.
“I have never seen a child before lie like that,” said he to himself, “but I could lie like it.”
So saying, he put himself down beside the child, and, taking his right foot in his hand, drew it toward his mouth. When he had brought it as near as he could, it was yet a considerable distance away from his lips.
“I will try the left foot,” said Manabozho. He did so, and found that he was no better off; neither of his feet could he get to his mouth. He curled and twisted, and bent his large limbs, and gnashed his teeth in rage to find that he could not get his toe to his mouth. All, however, was vain.
At length he rose, worn out with his exertions and passion, and walked slowly away in a very ill humor, which was not lessened by the sound of the child’s laughter, for Manabozho’s efforts had awakened it.
“Ah, ah!” said Manabozho, “shall I be mocked by a child?”
He did not, however, revenge himself on his victor, but on his way homeward, meeting a boy who did not treat him with proper respect, he transformed him into a cedar-tree.
“At least,” said Manabozho, “I can do something.”
Story DNA
Moral
Even the most powerful beings have limitations, and pride can lead to humbling experiences.
Plot Summary
Manabozho, a powerful and conceited wizard, believes he is capable of anything. One day, he sees a child with its toe in its mouth and, despite his large size, boasts he can do the same. He struggles intensely, twisting and turning, but fails to reach his foot to his mouth, becoming enraged and exhausted. Humiliated by the child's laughter, he leaves in a foul mood. Later, to reassert his power, he encounters a disrespectful boy and transforms him into a cedar tree.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility to renewed arrogance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Manabozho stories often serve to teach moral lessons, explain natural phenomena, or simply entertain, frequently featuring his human-like flaws despite his divine power.
Plot Beats (11)
- Manabozho, a great and conceited wizard, believes he can do anything.
- He walks through an encampment and sees a child with its toe in its mouth.
- Manabozho, never having seen this posture, boasts to himself that he can imitate it.
- He attempts to put his right foot in his mouth but cannot reach.
- He tries with his left foot, also failing.
- Manabozho twists and struggles, becoming increasingly angry and frustrated by his inability.
- He eventually gives up, exhausted and in a foul mood.
- The child, awakened by his efforts, laughs at him.
- Manabozho is further irritated by the child's laughter but does not seek revenge on the child.
- On his way home, he encounters a boy who shows him disrespect.
- Manabozho transforms the disrespectful boy into a cedar tree, reaffirming his power.
Characters
Manabozho
A powerful, large-limbed being, likely of robust build, reflecting his great strength and wizardly status. His exact height is not specified but his limbs are described as 'large'.
Attire: As a great wizard of the Indians, Manabozho would likely wear traditional attire, perhaps a buckskin tunic adorned with intricate beadwork or quillwork, fringed leggings, and moccasins. He might also wear a feather headdress or a simple headband, signifying his status and connection to nature.
Wants: To prove his omnipotence and maintain his self-perceived status as the greatest wizard.
Flaw: Overweening pride and an inability to accept his limitations, leading to frustration and rage.
He begins the story full of conceit, believing there's nothing he cannot do. He experiences a moment of humbling failure when he cannot put his toe in his mouth, but instead of learning humility, he redirects his anger, ending the story still conceited and petty, though acknowledging his power in a different context.
Conceited, powerful, easily angered, proud, somewhat childish in his pride, capable of great feats but also petty revenge.
The Child
A small, flexible child, curled up in the sunshine. Its size is contrasted with Manabozho's large limbs.
Attire: As a child in an encampment, it would likely wear simple, practical clothing such as a small buckskin tunic or a wrap made of natural fibers, suitable for lying in the sun.
Wants: None explicitly stated; acts instinctively.
Flaw: Vulnerability due to its small size and innocence (though it inadvertently 'defeats' Manabozho).
Remains unchanged; serves as a catalyst for Manabozho's frustration.
Innocent, naturally flexible, capable of unintentional mockery.
The Boy
A young boy, not further described before his transformation.
Attire: Likely simple, practical clothing typical of an Indigenous American boy, such as a buckskin tunic and leggings.
Wants: None explicitly stated; his actions are perceived as disrespectful by Manabozho.
Flaw: His perceived disrespect towards a powerful wizard.
Transformed into a cedar-tree, serving as an example of Manabozho's power and petty revenge.
Disrespectful (from Manabozho's perspective).
Locations
Indigenous Encampment
A sunlit clearing within a forest, where an Indigenous encampment is set up. The ground is likely soft earth or pine needles, with sunlight dappling through the trees.
Mood: Peaceful, natural, initially serene but becomes a place of frustration for Manabozho
Manabozho encounters the child and attempts to put his toe in his mouth, leading to his frustration.
Forest Path
A path winding through a forest, likely similar in character to the encampment's surroundings, but more secluded as Manabozho walks away in a foul mood.
Mood: Somber, angry, quiet except for Manabozho's internal turmoil
Manabozho, in his anger, transforms a disrespectful boy into a cedar tree.