MOON OF THE BIG-DOG

by Jay & Zane Spencer Leech ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1980

How horses came to the Teton Sioux--a legend retold, flatly and stiffly, as the story of three boys and a rash wager. Black Raven, Strong Bow, and Young Turtle set out to trade the village women's goods at the annual trade fair. The women, skeptical of their ability, impress upon them the things they want in return. As they approach the fair, a ""big dog-monster"" bears down upon them--an Apache on horseback. Black Raven, leader of the trio, is thunderstruck by the horse; and that night he has a vision of a black raven, flying into the sun, leading horses back to the Sioux village. The boys try to amass enough goods to trade for two horses, but fail. Black Raven then wagers--in addition--that Strong Bow can outshoot the best Apache bowman. The Apache accepts--on condition that Black Raven do the shooting; Black Raven agrees--on condition that they shoot into the sun. After two misses, he triumphs. The boys ride the horses home. The villagers are not pleased. But, an afterword tells us, they eventually came to realize that ""the three young braves had made a wise decision."" No flair in the telling, little excitement in the story.

Pub Date: April 1, 1980

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: T. Y. Crowell

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1980

Categories: FICTION