Long ago, before the world was lit by stars, the night sky was a black bowl stretched over the earth, dark as the inside of a cave. The People, Aniyvwiya, the Cherokee, lived by the rhythms of the earth and moon, with no guide but firelight once the sun dipped behind the mountains.
In those early days, there was a problem down in the village. The people stored their cornmeal in large clay pots, kept near the center of the village so everyone could share when food was low. But something, or someone, had been stealing the cornmeal at night.
“Look,” Grandmother Turtle said one morning, brushing the dust with her old claw. “Tracks. Little ones, clever ones. These are no ordinary thief’s feet.”
Raccoon, The Thief
Fox sniffed the ground. “Not bird. Not man. These belong to Raccoon. That rascal’s always been a trickster.”
Raccoon was known throughout the forest for being clever, and perhaps too curious for his own good. He’d once stolen honey from Bear’s cave and only escaped by diving into the river and hiding under lily pads. But stealing from the village, that was different. That was sacred food, meant to be shared in hard times.
The Council of Animals was called. Bear growled, “We must stop him before he takes it all.”
Owl blinked from a tree branch. “Let’s wait and watch. Raccoon always returns to the scene of his tricks.”
A Trap Was Set For Raccoon
That night, they laid a trap. They sprinkled cornmeal in a wide circle and hid behind trees. Sure enough, when the moon was high, a shadow crept in. Raccoon, with his nimble hands and curious nose, padded into the circle. He dipped his paw into the pot, scooped a pawful of meal, and began to shuffle away.
But the dust clung to his feet. Wherever he stepped, cornmeal stuck and glittered faintly in the moonlight.
“Now!” shouted Rabbit.
Raccoon bolted, zigzagging through the trees, trying to lose them. He dashed through the river, up the hills, across the open meadows. The animals chased after him, but they were too slow. Raccoon was clever, and even now, he laughed as he ran.
But the cornmeal trail didn’t stop.
Higher and higher he ran, until he reached the top of the tallest ridge. With nowhere else to go, he looked up, and leapt into the sky.
And that’s when something strange happened.
Raccoon Escaped Through The Milky Way
The stars, which had been hidden in the black dome, flickered into life as Raccoon scattered the last of the cornmeal across the sky. A long, glowing trail stretched from horizon to horizon, marking the path he’d taken through the heavens.
Owl hooted softly. “Look what he’s done.”
Bear grunted. “He escaped again. But left us something beautiful.”
From that day on, the trail Raccoon made has been called the Milky Way, Gil’gati in Cherokee, “the place where the cornmeal spilled.” It reminds the People of the trickster’s cleverness, the power of curiosity, and how even mischief can make something worth seeing.
Moral of the Story
Sometimes, even the actions born from mischief and hunger can lead to unexpected beauty. Raccoon did wrong by stealing, but the trail he left behind gave the world a new kind of light. The tale teaches that choices have consequences, but even those consequences can shape the world in surprising ways. Whether through error or wisdom, we all leave a trail. It’s up to us to decide what kind it will be.
Knowledge Check
What is the moral of the folktale “How the Milky Way Was Made”?
The story teaches a lesson about consequences, showing how actions, even mischievous ones, can lead to lasting change and unexpected beauty.
What cultural group does the tale “How the Milky Way Was Made” come from?
This folktale originates from the Cherokee tradition in the United States, particularly from the Southeastern Woodlands.
Why did the Milky Way get made?
In the tale, the Milky Way was made out of hunger and curiosity, as Raccoon’s desire for cornmeal led to his escape trail becoming a glowing path in the sky.
How does the folktale “How the Milky Way Was Made” explain a natural feature?
The story offers a traditional explanation for why the Milky Way appears as a bright, dusty band in the night sky—it is the spilled cornmeal trail of a fleeing raccoon.
Is “How the Milky Way Was Made” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“How the Milky Way Was Made” is a trickster tale, reflecting the cleverness and consequences of a mischievous animal, common in Native American oral traditions.
How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The message of “How the Milky Way Was Made” remains relevant as it teaches timeless truths about cleverness, responsibility, and how our actions, good or bad, can leave a lasting mark on the world.
Cultural Origin: Cherokee (Native American)
