“Crow Challenges Hobomock”, is a Nipmuc folktale retold by Larry Spotted Crow Mann in his engaging book of folktales for all ages entitled Drumming & Dreaming (2016). In this folktale, an epic confrontation takes place between two powerful beings: Hobomock, an evil trickster character in Nipmuc legend; and Crow, the bringer of corn, and one who dwells between life, death, and dreams. I recommend reading the book where the story really comes alive, here is my summary of the story:
This piece was featured on Instagram’s Folktale Week 2022!
Hobomock turns all the harvest into stone and delights in everyone’s frustration. This upsets Crow who wants to restore the balance. Crow decides to challenge Hobomuck to a shapeshifting contest. Both Crow and Hobomock begin shapeshifting into different animals to outwin each other (raccoon, deer, porcupine, bear…) until Crow admits his defeat. Hobomook grins and thinks he has won. Crow responds, “When we started this battle, I was angry but as time passed, I decided to change my anger into compassion. The biggest change we can make is not on the outside but on the inside. Because I now have compassion toward you, I have let you win.” Hobomock is taken aback at this unexpected response from Crow. Angry, Hobomock claims that he can still outdo Crow by making an even bigger change. Hobomock goes back to the Nipmuc village and restores all the people’s harvest back into food! Hobomook then triumphantly says, “There, Crow, I showed even bigger compassion! Outdo that!” Crow responds, “Yes, Hobomook. It would seem you have defeated me.”
I love this folktale so much for its timeless wisdom: that real change has nothing to do with outward appearance, but happens from within. This piece is part of my larger series entitled Folktales from the Great Blue Hills* in honor of the Massachusett, Nipmuc, Pennacook, and Wampanoag people on whose territory I reside and whose ancient and timeless folktales are filled with beauty, magic, wisdom, and so much truth still relevant in contemporary times.
Note* Massachusetts is also known as the “Great Blue Hills” in the Algonquian language of the original Massachuset people.
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