Poems and Sketches of Nebraska

WHY THE WOOD DUCK’S EYES ARE RED
(Song Myths of the Sioux.)

Ka wanna heya ahiyaya:

"Istohmus waci po;
Tuwe yatonwe cin,
Ista nisapi kta;
Ista nisapi kta."

Unkan Skiska wan tokaheya tonwe cin heon ista sa keyapi.

Unktomi, the magician sang:

"With your eyes shut dance,
If you peep a single glance
Always red-eyed you shall see,
Always red-eyed you shall be."

But the wood duck looked, they said,— From that day his eyes were red.