Long ago, when animals could talk and the forest was still young, Bear had the most magnificent tail in all the North Woods. It was long, thick, and glossy—black as night and soft as mink fur. He knew it too, and he never stopped talking about it. Whether he was fishing by the river or roaming the icy hills, Bear would flick that fine tail and boast.
“Have you ever seen such beauty?” he’d rumble. “The trees bow when I pass!”
The other animals grew tired of his bragging, especially Fox. Now, Fox was no stranger to clever tricks, and he thought it was high time Bear learned some humility.
Winter came early that year. Ice covered the lakes, snow blanketed the trees, and food grew scarce. Bear lumbered from den to den, belly growling, desperate for something to eat.
The Hungry Bear
One frosty morning, as Bear trudged near Frozen Tail Lake, he spotted Fox sitting beside a hole in the ice, gnawing on a fat fish.
“Where did you get that?” Bear asked, his voice full of hunger.
Fox wiped his mouth and grinned. “From the lake, of course. But I don’t fish with paws like you. I use my tail.”
“Your tail?” Bear asked, wide-eyed.
“Yes,” Fox said, licking his teeth. “Just dip your tail in the hole, sit real still, and the fish will nibble. When they bite, yank hard and you’ll pull up a meal fit for a king!”
Bear’s stomach roared in agreement. He waddled to the edge of the ice, turned around, and plunged his long, proud tail into the hole. The cold sent shivers up his spine, but he stayed put. Minutes passed. Then hours. The sun dipped behind the trees.
Bear is Tricked
“Patience, friend,” Fox called over his shoulder, heading off into the woods. “The best catch comes last!”
Bear waited. The wind howled. Snow fell. His tail grew numb, frozen stiff beneath the ice. Still, he waited—dreaming of fish.
By morning, Bear couldn’t feel anything below his hips. He tried to stand but couldn’t move. He tugged. Nothing. He pulled harder. Still stuck.
Finally, with a mighty roar, Bear yanked with all his strength.
Snap!
He fell backward into the snow, dazed and sore. Where once his glorious tail had swished proudly, now only a stub remained. The rest was trapped beneath the ice forever.
Fox returned just in time to see Bear howl with rage and embarrassment.
“I guess the fish got away,” Fox said, laughing as he darted off into the woods.
From that day on, Bear avoided the lakes in winter and never bragged again. And to this day, bears still have short tails—a reminder of pride, trickery, and the dangers of trusting a fox.
Moral of the Story
In the hush of the woods and the silence of winter, even the proud must learn humility. “How the Bear Lost His Tail” reminds us that vanity can blind us to danger, and clever words can hide clever traps. It’s a tale that warns against pride and gullibility while celebrating wit and wisdom. Whether you’re a bear or a person, it pays to think before you act—and never trust a fox too easily.
Knowledge Check
What is the moral of the folktale “How the Bear Lost His Tail”?
The story teaches a lesson about humility and consequences, showing how vanity and blind trust can lead to lasting change.
What cultural group does the tale “How the Bear Lost His Tail” come from?
This folktale originates from the Ojibwe (Chippewa) tradition in the United States, part of Native American storytelling.
Why did Bear lose his tail?
In the tale, Bear lost his tail out of pride and hunger, which set the plot in motion and made him vulnerable to Fox’s trick.
How does the folktale “How the Bear Lost His Tail” explain a natural animal trait?
The story offers a traditional explanation for why modern bears have short tails, a trait tied to the consequences of Bear’s pride and gullibility.
Is “How the Bear Lost His Tail” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“How the Bear Lost His Tail” is a trickster tale, reflecting the wit, humor, and moral lessons of Ojibwe culture, especially through the character of Fox.
How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The message of “How the Bear Lost His Tail” remains relevant today as it teaches timeless truths about self-awareness, trust, and personal responsibility, making it meaningful across generations.
Cultural Origin
This tale is rooted in the Ojibwe oral storytelling tradition, a Native American people known for using animals and natural elements to pass on moral and cultural wisdom across generations.
