# The Eagle — Zuni Folktales character guide

> The Eagle in Zuni Folktales by Frank Hamilton Cushing.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The Eagle, Eagle, the old Eagle, Great Eagle, mine, himself, its

**First appearance:** 0001-zuni-folktales

## Snapshot

An old Eagle who spreads his wings to bless a marriage, then teaches a human youth to fly in an eagle-coat.

## Who they are

In the great white-walled house of the Eagles, reached only through roof openings, this old man rises to pronounce the youth and Eagle-maiden wife and husband. He belongs to a winged people who can take human or bird form at will, and he oversees the patient training that follows: soft bedding laid on the floor, a novice flapping and tumbling, then at last sustained flight. His welcome and his blessing turn a stranger into kin, making the marriage and the youth's slow transformation feel earned rather than magical.

## In the story

### [The Youth and His Eagle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/the-youth-and-his-eagle)

The youth's beloved Eagle wife, who tries to dissuade him from following her and ultimately abandons him after his betrayal.

### [The Coyote Who Killed the Demon Síuiuki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/the-coyote-who-killed-the-demon-s-uiuki)

Mentioned as one of the Gods of Prey living in the village.

### [The Young Swift-Runner Who Was Stripped of His Clothing by the Aged Tarantula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/the-young-swift-runner-who-was-stripped-of-his-clothing-by-the-aged-tarantula)

Summoned after Kingfisher's failure; attempts to recover the clothing.

### [The Maiden the Sun Made Love To, and Her Boys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/the-maiden-the-sun-made-love-to-and-her-boys)

A wise old Eagle set by the Sun to watch over the maiden; he is kept in a cage on the housetop.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/characters/eagle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/characters