How the Baby Deer Got Its Spots

    Along time ago there was a Friendly Spirit who lived by a big river.  The Spirit would often sit by the river enjoying the beauty of nature.

    One day, the Spirit was sitting by a fire near the river thinking about all he had done for the animals.

    The Spirit began to think that he had given almost all the animals special gifts.  He said, “I have given the birds feathers, I have given the buffalo his horns, the porcupine his quills, the snake his poison, the wolf his sharp teeth, and the deer and squirrel their speed.  Almost every creature has received from me a means of protection to use whenever they are in need.”  The Spirit was happy with all that he had done.

    While he was resting, several animals came by to talk to the Friendly Spirit.  They would often visit with him because he was so kind to them.  They were pleased with the natural gifts the Spirit had given them.

    Soon after the Friendly Spirit was finished speaking with his visitors, a mother deer came prancing by with her little fawn following her.  The Friendly Spirit had great wisdom and quickly realized his error when he saw the mother deer and her baby fawn.  Although he had given the mother deer great speed, he failed to provide anything for the fawn.

    The mother deer spoke to the Spirit, “Oh Spirit,” she said, “You gave me the ability to run fast, but how is a young one going to keep away from enemies?”

    “I’m aware of that and I will take care of this problem,” replied the Spirit.  He sat for a while thinking about how he would fix this.  It did not take the Spirit long to come up with a solution to help the fawn.

    The Spirit spoke to the mother deer, ”I will make him so hard to see,” said the Spirit, ”then he will be safe while hiding from others.”  

    The mother deer was very happy and wondered what the Great Spirit would do. The Spirit looked and studied the deer. Taking brush and paints, she painted white spots on the baby deer, until he blended in. That, according to the legend, is why the fawn has spots today.

    Now, the momma deer is able to eat while the fawn says hidden. Although the spots will disappear when the fawn grows up, he will no longer need them, for he will be quick enough to protect himself.