Reading Notes - Tejas Legends: Why the Dog's Ears Flop, Reading B

·      Begins by pointing out a common trait in some dogs

o   Dogs that beg for food, have floppy ears, and have their tail between their legs

·      They attribute these characteristics to the fact that the dog might remember something that he is ashamed of

o   This shameful event occurred a long time ago

·      Mentions how wolves have their ears perked to warn the wolf of danger and would have their heads held high

·      One day a dog couldn’t find any food, so he made a deal with some local Indians – if they gave him food, he would live with them and guard them from other animals

·      The agreement worked well until wolves came and tricked the dog into thinking that they were just checking up on him

·      The wolves made a fool of the dog and stole all of the meat

·      Once the Indians found out, they beat the dog and yelled at him until he looked so sorry that they left him alone

o   From this point on the dog lost his pride, and he became fearful of men that shout at him

 Looking Afraid. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Bibliography: This story can be found here. Story source: When the Storm God Rides: Tejas and Other Indian Legends retold by Florence Stratton and illustrated by Berniece Burrough (1936).