The Punishment of the Stingy and Other Indian Stories

by George Bird Grinnell, Raymond J. Demallie (Preface), Jarold Ramsey (Introduction)

The Punishment of the Stingy , first published in 1901, has become a classic of American Indian literature. George Bird Grinnell’s retelling of Indian tales like “The Star Boy,” “The Girl Who Was the Ring,” “The First Medicine Lodge,” and “Nothing Child” retains the humor and mystery of their sources. Featuring the twin themes of generosity and stinginess, this is the only one of Grinnell's collections to embrace narratives from a number of tribes--Blackfoot, Pawnee, Blood, Piegan, and Chinook. Plucky young heroes emerge from obscurity through their generosity; the closefisted draw down supernatural punishments befitting their cold and hardened spirits. Jarold Ramsey writes, "The history of the Plains Indians as we have it would be unthinkable without the keen eye and honest, diligent pen of George Bird Grinnell. With him, it is still possible after eighty or one hundred years to leap through that historical lightning door that shut so suddenly on the Old West. Among the heroic Pawnees, Cheyennes, Blackfeet, and their neighbors of long ago, stories like these will continue to be our horses, and Grinnell our faithful overland guide."

265 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1982

About the author

George Bird Grinnell was an American anthropologist, historian, naturalist, and writer. Grinnell was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in 1870 and a Ph.D. in 1880. Originally specializing in zoology, he became a prominent early conservationist and student of Native American life. Grinnell has been recognized for his influence on public opinion and work on legislation to preserve the American bison. Mount Grinnell is named after Grinnell.

Reviews

[Gabriel Galletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great, short collection of stories from tribes such as Pawnee, Blackfoot, Piegans, Blood, and Nez Perce. Some the stories are sad, some show heroism or miraculously overcoming obstacles, some are good life lessons, but they all give a small glimpse into what life was like for Indians before the turn of the 20th century. I imagine what it would have been like to hear these stories told first hand, sitting in a lodge around a fire.

It amazes me that George Bird Grinnell was able to capture and preserve all these stories. It is extremely impressive how he was able to document so much across so many different tribes.