Myths and Tales of the Southeastern Indians: Creek Stories: 38. Why the Opossum Has No Hair On His Tail (Second Story)

38. WHY THE OPOSSUM HAS NO HAIR ON HIS TAIL (49)

(SECOND STORY)

(Tuggle collection)

The Raccoon met the Opossum, and the Opossum said: "How did you make such pretty rings on your tail?"

The Raccoon replied: "I wrapped bark around my tail and stuck it into the fire."

Then the Opossum got some bark, wrapped it around his tail, which then had hair on it, and built a fire. He stuck his tail into the fire and burned all of the hair off and ever since then opossums have had no hair on their tails.