The Ak Uk O Jeesh,
or
The Groundhog Family.
An Odjibwa Fable.
by Henry Schoolcraft
A female akukojeesh, or groundhog, with a numerous family of young ones, was burrowing in
her wauzh, or hole in the ground, one long winter, in the north, when the young ones became
impatient for spring. Every day the mother would go out and get roots and other things, which
she brought in to them to eat; and she always told them to lie close and keep warm, and never to
venture towards the mouth of the wauzh. But they became very impatient at last to see the light
and the green woods. "Mother," said they, "is it not almost spring?" "No! no!" said she, in a cross
humor, "keep still and wait patiently; it hails, it snows, it is cold-it is windy. Why should you
wish to go out?" This she told them so often, and said it in such a bad temper, that they at last
suspected some deception. One day she came in, after having been a long while absent, and fell
asleep, with her mouth open. The little ones peeped in slyly, and saw on her teeth the remains of
the nice white bulbous roots of the mo-na-wing, or adder's tongue violet. They at once knew it
was spring, and without disturbing the old one, who only wanted to keep them in till they were
full grown, away they scampered, out of the hole, and dispersed themselves about the forest, and
so the family were all scattered.
5. What is one of the themes expressed in this passage?
O A. Slow and steady wins the race.
O B. Laziness leads to severe hardship.
O C. Be very grateful for what you already have.
O D. Parents cannot protect their children forever.