How The Deer Got Horns - Ojibwa When the World was first created…. (WA WASH KAESH)….. Deer did not have any horns….. His head was smooth, … Just like a doe….. But he was a great runner …. And could protect himself that way….. (WA BOOSE)… Rabbit was also a great runner and… Jumper, …. And they often played together …… The other animals wondered who …. was the fastest and …. who could actually run the longest….. They had a council meeting … And decided to hold a contest between …. WAWASH KAESH and WA BOOSE….. (AMIK)Beaver made a nice pair of antlers from the … Wood and it was decided to use this …. As the prize for the winner……. The day for the contest was decided… And the rules were laid down… The runners were to start together from…. one side of a thicket and go through it … Then turn and come back… The one who came out first.. Was to get the horns… The antlers were put down… on the ground … at the edge of the thicket to .. mark the starting point… WA BOOSE said.. "Wow, I could really use those horns to protect… myself Then he looked around and cried out… "I don't really think this is fair… I don't know this part of the country… So I want to take a look around in …. the bushes first … The rest of the animals thought that was O.K….. They let the WA BOOSE go into the thicket After a while he was gone….. So long they became worried ….. They figured he was up to ….. Some kind of trick ….. So they sent a scout out to search….. for him WA BOOSE was caught gnawing…… at the bushes and pulling them away until…. He had made a secret road,….. A trail that would be easier for…… him to run through…… WA BOOSE continued to work,…. Not realizing he was being watched…… And then the scout came back and reported….. To the council that …… WA BOOSE was making a secret path all….. The way through the ….. Thicket to the other….. Side….. They didn't like what they heard….. Finally …. WA BOOSE ane out and….. Said he was ready to start….. The other animals accuse him cheating….. But WA BOOSE pleaded that….. He'd just gotten lost….. The other animals agreed that such ….. A trickster should not enter the race at all…… And they awarded the antlers to …. WA WASH KAESH….. That is why today we say that….. WABOOSE is WA WASH KAESH little brother….. When ever you see a WABOOSE you can bet that WAWASH KAESH….. Is someplace close by. But…… Sometimes WA WASH KAESH runs so fast you can hardly see him in the thicket…… Cheating doesn't pay