THE UNKTOMI (SPIDER), TWO WIDOWS,
AND THE RED PLUMS

There once lived, in a remote part of a great forest, two widowed
sisters, with their little babies. One day there came to their
tent a visitor who was called Unktomi (spider). He had found some
nice red plums during his wanderings in the forest, and he said to
himself, "I will keep these plums and fool the two widows with
them." After the widows had bidden him be seated, he presented
them with the plums.

On seeing them they exclaimed "hi nu, hi nu (an exclamation of
surprise), where did you get those fine plums?" Unktomi arose and
pointing to a crimson tipped cloud, said: "You see that red cloud?
Directly underneath it is a patch of plums. So large is the patch
and so red and beautiful are the plums that it is the reflection of
them on the cloud that you see."

"Oh, how we wish some one would take care of our babies, while we
go over there and pick some," said the sisters. "Why, I am not in
any particular hurry, so if you want to go I will take care of my
little nephews until you return." (Unktomi always claimed
relationship with everyone he met). "Well brother," said the older
widow, "take good care of them and we will be back as soon as