Mother Thunderbird (Tale 21)

Family: Thunderbirds · Role: mother Thunderbird · First appears: Tale 21 · The Boy Who Befriended the Thunderbirds, and the Serpent · Part 1

At the mountain nest, Mother Thunderbird comforted Antelope-Carrier, whom the Thunderbirds had carried there, and asked him to help save her young from the serpent. He agreed to stay and help protect his “brothers.” In Part 2, she declared him chief of all birds and granted him power, saying, “My son, to-day you are chief of all birds.”

Relationship record

Life events

• The Thunderbirds carried Antelope-Carrier to their mountain nest, where he agreed to help protect their young from the serpent.(Tale 21 · The Boy Who Befriended the Thunderbirds, and the Serpent · Part 1)
  • With: Antelope-Carrier Male Thunderbird (Tale 21) the four young Thunderbirds (Tale 21)
  • “The boy wiped away his tears and said: ‘I will die with my brothers. I will stay here and help you.’”
• Mother Thunderbird declared Antelope-Carrier chief of all birds and granted him power.(Tale 21 · The Boy Who Befriended the Thunderbirds, and the Serpent · Part 2)
  • With: Antelope-Carrier
  • “Thunderbird said: “My son, to-day you are chief of all birds.”

Tale 21 · The Boy Who Befriended the Thunderbirds, and the Serpent · Part 1

• child: the four young Thunderbirds (Tale 21) “She lighted close to the boy and the bird spoke and said: ‘My son, do not cry. I brought you to this place. I watch over you as you go hunting. I see you kill game. You are wonderful. I brought you up here. I want you to help me save your young brothers over there’ (pointing to the nest).”
• friends with Antelope-Carrier “He looked up and saw the mother Thunderbird. She lighted close to the boy and the bird spoke and said: ‘My son, do not cry. I brought you to this place. I watch over you as you go hunting. I see you kill game. You are wonderful. I brought you up here. I want you to help me save your young brothers over there’ (pointing to the nest).”

Also listed in Other Figures — Minor Figures

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Extracted from the original text of Traditions of the Arikara. Made with Rho MD.