Iktomi and the Boulder

A (retold) Plains Indian story with a mischievous young Indian, Iktomi.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Goble, Paul. Iktomi and the Boulder: a Plains Indian Story. New York: Orchard Books, 1988
ISBN 0531083608

    

                                     Paul Goble                                                                

PLOT SUMMARY:   

Iktomi, a very self-confident (perhaps over confident) young man. He has prepared himself to go visit friends and family in the next village. He has dressed up, painted his face, and has all his prized positions.  Iktomi is sure that everyone and every living thing will be impressed with how "good"he looks. He fails to notice the birds and animals laughing at him. Iktomi has over dressed and cannot take the heat any more and he stops to rest. While resting in the shadow of a huge boulder, he offers the blanket as a gift to the boulder and places it on top of a boulder so it will not "burn any more." As Iktomi continues his journey he notices a thunder cloud and he questions why he left the blanket for the boulder. He goes back and gets the blanket just in time to shelter from the rain. The next noise he hears is the bouldering rumbling and tumbling towards him. He tries to out run the boulder but cannot. The boulder rolls on top of his legs and finally comes to a stop. Iktomi struggles and screams and asks his brother animals for assistance. Buffaloes, elk, antelope, bears, and prairie dogs all try to move the boulder off Iktomi but they cannot; they give up and wonder off. Darkness comes and Iktomi sees bats. He requests that the bats help him and tells the bats that the boulder has been saying rude and mean things about the bats. The bats are so angry they attack the boulder. Bit by bit, piece by piece the bats break the boulder up. Iktomi is freed and the story explains how why bats have flat face and there are rocks scatted over the Great Plains. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Paul Goble retells and illustrates how Iktomi creates his own battles through all of his self serving actions. As Goble tells the story he strives to convey human characteristics to the reader -- both the good and the bad. Through out the story, the reader is given insight into the Iktomi's character and asked questions directed at his behavior. The book begins with valuable information--"About Iktomi" and "A Note for the Reader." Both short paragraphs enlighten the reader about the forthcoming tell. Iktomi is explained to be the star of many North American Indian stories. His name has changed depending on the creator of the story and there is no single "correct" version of the stories. For the reader, Goble explains that small type is "perhaps" Iktomi's thoughts and the larger lighter text is to provoke thoughts -- neither text need be read aloud but can be depending on the situation.

The illustrations add to and complete this tell. The colors, both vivid and subdued are captivating. Every illustration either has substantial detail or is remarkably plain. Iktomi's dress, facial expressions, and items have great detail while the boulder and various animals do not. This goes along with the theme that Iktomi is the grand and already chief like.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Lawrance M. Bernabo:  "The trickster is a universal character in North American myths and legends, known by different names in different parts of the country. The common denominator is the Iktomi is always trying to get the better of other, but usually ends up being the one who looks foolish."

CONNECTIONS:

* Create a drawing representing some part of the story.

* Create a character dictionary--choose positive and negative traits Iktomi displayed.

* Discuss Native American culture.

* Read other books by Paul Goble.