Zuni Folktales · Character
The Bear
A great Black Bear who claims the datila and piñon patch, then loses a contest of frights to a painted boy.
supporting
Also known as the old Bear, the great Black Bear, The Bear, yours, himself, myself, your
First appearance: zuni folktales
As a supporting figure in Zuni Folktales, The Bear is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
A great Bear living in a cave, the first monster slain by the boy.
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He meets the boy on the plateau with a bellow of ownership — 'They are mine!' — and proposes a trial: whoever can scare the other keeps the ground. He charges from the thicket snapping trees and snarling, yet the boy…
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The fuller portrait of The Bear sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See The Bear in zuni folktalesCharacter Web
17 connectionsA slice of how The Bear sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Animal Helpers and Tricksters
- Protagonist
- Twin War Gods and Companions
+12 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the children’s joyful play turns to horror as the elder siste…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
The Bear appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- How the Summer Birds Came
- The Coyote Who Killed the Demon Síuiuki
- How the Corn-Pests Were Ensnared
- The Ugly Wild Boy Who Drove the Bear Away from Southeastern Mesa
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for The Bear unlock in the free preview.
See The Bear in zuni folktales