# The Turtle — Zuni Folktales character guide

> The Turtle in Zuni Folktales by Frank Hamilton Cushing.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The Turtle, Turtle, The old Turtle, the old Turtle, old Turtle, the proud Turtle

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

## Snapshot

A slow-moving but sharp-witted animal whose pride and patience often turn the tables on faster, more boastful creatures.

## Who they are

Turtle's reputation for cleverness rests on his ability to outlast and outthink opponents who underestimate him. Though his body is slow, his mind works with a deliberateness that mirrors his pace, making him a foil to the impulsive Coyote and the hasty Demon. In tales of wit against speed, Turtle represents the quiet triumph of strategy over brute force, anchoring the collection's moral imagination.

## In the story

### [How the Turtle Out Hunting Duped the Coyote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/how-the-turtle-out-hunting-duped-the-coyote)

The old Turtle uses ingenuity to kill a deer, outwits the Coyote, and ultimately retains the meat through clever tricks.

### [The Revenge of the Two Brothers on the Háwikuhkwe, or the Two Little Ones and Their Turkeys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/the-revenge-of-the-two-brothers-on-the-h-wikuhkwe-or-the-two-little-ones-and-their-turkeys)

Grandfather of the boys; serves as master of ceremonies for the victory dance and later leaves for the Western Waters.

## Links

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