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Native American Stories About Vanity

Here is our collection of Native American legends and traditional stories about vanity.

Legends About Vanity

Gluskonba and the Four Wishes

Glooskap Grants Three Wishes:
Wabanaki stories about a conceited man punished for his vanity, while a humble hunter is rewarded.

Why Opossum's Tail is Bare:
Cherokee legend about Opossum being punished for his vanity.

Lox and Mouin:
Maliseet legend about Lox the Wolverine murdering a bear by playing on his vanity.

How the Beaver Got His Tail:
Ojibwe legend about a vain Beaver losing his fluffy tail.

How Porcupine Got His Quills:
Menominee legend about Porcupine being punished for his vanity.

An Opossum Becomes Disliked Because of His Pretty Tail:
Fox Indian legend about an opossum punished for his vanity and rude behavior.

Che-py-yah-poo-thwah:
Lenape folktale about a handsome gambler learning not to be so vain.

The Opossum's Tale:
Children's book illustrating a Cherokee legend about a vain opossum learning a lesson.

Nanabosho Grants a Wish:
A nice retelling of a Chippewa Indian legend about a vain man whose careless wishes turn him into a tree.