Animals have always been mentors to humans, warning them of dangers ahead and teaching them how to hunt, gather, and find fresh water. The habits of animals were of such importance that Native Americans began using stories based on these animals to teach life lessons. Stories about these animals emphasized the virtues of animals and repeatedly taught children to be "wise, gentle, courageous or cheerful in the same way as certain birds and animals" (Caduto and Bruchac, XI) . The elk was and still is an animal of great importance to the tribes of North America. Elk were not only a source of food, but also clothing, tools, glue, and even teepee coverings. Elk teeth were used as jewelry worn only by tribal women, also as currency among Native Americans. By examining the stories and scientific facts of Native Americans, we can see how the physical traits and ecological interactions of elk can be attributed to the culture of the Native American people. Elk are believed to be prey animals, as they only eat vegetation and are not prey animals. a predator of sorts. In the Sioux legend The Rabbit and the Elk, the elk is a real prankster. He makes the rabbit believe that he has killed an elk in his trap. When the rabbit came to check his trap, he saw the “dead” moose and ran home to tell his grandmother the good news. “Grandma, I captured a beautiful moose. You will have a new dress from her skin. Throw the old into the fire” (First Peoples of America). When the rabbit returned to the trap, the moose stood up and said, “Ho, friend rabbit. You thought you were trapping me; now I made fun of you,” as he ran into the thicket. This is a great example of anthropomorphism because in the middle of the article...... Works Cited "Native American Legends: The Rabbit and the Elk". First Peoples - The Legends. First Peoples of America and First Peoples of Canada: Turtle Island, nd Web. April 23, 2014. Duvall, DC “The Elk-Woman.” Mythology of the Blackfoot Indians. By Clark Wissler. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 1995. 32-33. Print.Lapinski, Mike. The mystic of momentum. Stevensville, MT: Stoneydale, 1998. Print. Caduto, MJ and J. Bruchac. Animal guardians, Native American stories and animal activities for children. Fulcrum Publishing, 1998. Print. Toweill. “Elk Anatomy and Physiology – Elk Article #2.” North American Elk; Ecology and management. By Thomas. Np: Stackpole, nd N. pag. Bowhunting.net. Internet. April 27, 2014. “Momentum.” Wikipedia: the free encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., April 20, 2014. Web. April 27. 2014.