The Consequences of Trickery

The primary lesson of the story revolves around the context of trust, honesty, and peace between people. The Bear and the Rabbit described two different groups of people (since they are primarily different) in harmony with each other, rather than the bear overwhelming the rabbit: “He gave Rabbit a dish of beans and the Rabbit ate a great quantity of them. When he was through eating, he invited the Bear to go and see him in his turn” (The Bungling Host 254-255). This shows how two different animals are in harmony; how people should act, according to the North Americans.

However, the perversion of this peace is brought about by trickery and dishonesty, as described within the character of the Buzzard. The trust was earned when the Buzzard claimed that he could help the Rabbit. This is how tricksters fool their victims, just as in the case between the animals and the Buzzard: “’When I treat a person, I don’t want anybody to be present’” (The Bungling Host 255). This already casts a blanket of doubt over people who are not too trusting. People should not over rely on another’s word when it has not been proven yet.

Dire consequences can occur when being tricked and when dishonesty is unveiled, as in the case of the Buzzard eating the Rabbit, and being shot by an arrow. Hence, the primary lesson is that Trickery and dishonesty distorts the harmony between people, which could always end in dire consequences. Works Cited Swanton, John. “The Bungling Host. ” Myths and Tales of the Southeastern Indians. 2003 August. 4 June 2009. <http://www. sacred-texts. com/nam/se/mtsi/mtsi295. htm>