# The Stranger — Old Indian Legends character guide

> The Stranger in Old Indian Legends by Zitkála-Šá.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the stranger

**First appearance:** 0001-old-indian-legends

## Snapshot

A bent figure with a willow cane and an enormous bundle, who passes the dancing ducks and refuses to reveal what he carries on his back.

## Who they are

The stranger appears on the winding footpath just as the ducks' dance reaches its height, staggering under a bundle too large for his frame and propped up by a willow cane. When the curious drummers beg him to stop and show what he bears, he deflects them with teasing refusals, nudging his own sides as he hurries on. His refusal to be seen keeps the flock guessing and sets the tension that Iktomi's scheme will soon exploit.

## Relationships

### [Iktomi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/characters/iktomi)

_psychological_

Iktomi attempts to deceive or manipulate the Stranger, but is sometimes outwitted in return.

### [Grandfather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/characters/grandfather)

_social_

Grandfather offers hospitality or guidance to the Stranger, acting as a wise community elder.

### [Iktomi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/characters/iktomi)

_psychological_

Iktomi attempts to deceive or manipulate the Stranger, but is sometimes outwitted in return.

## In the story

### [Iktomi and the Ducks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/iktomi-and-the-ducks)

A Skiska duck who peeks during the dance and warns the others, causing them to flee.

### [Iktomi and the Coyote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/iktomi-and-the-coyote)

The coyote is referred to as a stranger in the context of Iktomi's encounter.

### [The Badger and the Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/the-badger-and-the-bear)

The avenger who springs from the buffalo blood; he confronts the bear and restores the badgers' home.

### [The Tree-Bound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/the-tree-bound)

The avenger is referred to as a stranger by the hunters and the chieftain's messengers; he is the one with the sacred arrow.

### [Shooting of the Red Eagle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/shooting-of-the-red-eagle)

The real avenger, initially a stranger, who is carried on a buffalo robe and greeted by the chieftain.

### [The Toad and the Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/the-toad-and-the-boy)

The young mother who loses her baby and searches for him for ten years.

### [The Toad and the Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/the-toad-and-the-boy)

The father who joins the search and sings a sad song in the winters.

### [The Toad and the Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/the-toad-and-the-boy)

The Indian hunter who discovers the boy playing among the reeds and leads the parents to him.

### [The Toad and the Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/the-toad-and-the-boy)

The wild boy, stolen as a baby and raised by the toad, who hears his mother's voice and feels a deep emotional connection.

### [The Toad and the Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/the-toad-and-the-boy)

The big, ugly toad mother who steals and raises the boy, trying to keep him by imitating human crying.

### [Manštin, the Rabbit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/chapters/man-tin-the-rabbit)

The newly made man from the transformed baby, who becomes Manštin's friend and later helps him by using the Earth Ear.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/characters/the_stranger
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/old_indian_legends_se/characters