the Kingfisher

Role: bird · First appears: Myth 39 · How the Kingfisher Got His Bill

Life events

The Kingfisher was given a long, sharp bill and became the best fish-gigger.(Myth 39 · How the Kingfisher Got His Bill)
- “The animals held a council over it and decided to make him a bill like a long sharp awl for a fish-gig (fish-spear). So they made him a fish-gig and fastened it on in front of his mouth. He flew to the top of a tree, sailed out and darted down into the water, and came up with a fish on his gig. And he has been the best gigger ever since.”
The Kingfisher pierced a Blacksnake's head and pulled him out dead.(Myth 39 · How the Kingfisher Got His Bill)
- With: a Blacksnake
- “He came, and after flying back and forth past the hole a few times, made one dart at the snake and pulled him out dead.”
The Little People gave the Kingfisher his long bill as a reward.(Myth 39 · How the Kingfisher Got His Bill)
- “From this the Little People concluded that he would make a first-class gigger if he only had the right spear, so they gave him his long bill as a reward.”

enemies with a Blacksnake “He came, and after flying back and forth past the hole a few times, made one dart at the snake and pulled him out dead.”
recipient: Yellowhammer “She went for help to the Little People, who sent her to the Kingfisher. He came, and after flying back and forth past the hole a few times, made one dart at the snake and pulled him out dead.”

Extracted from the original text of Myths of the Cherokee. Made with Rho MD.