New World Blog

This picture depicts the actions of Pocahontas as she saved John Smith. Smith, who was the author of the General History of Virginia, was the only source to what happened in Jamestown. At this moment, when he was captured by Powhatan's men, he was to be put to death but Pocahontas saved his life. This is historically correct because Smith mentioned it in his story. Also, its important, because if it weren't for Pocahontas' actions, the true story of the settlement of Jamestown would be lost forever.

Coyote and Buffalo

One of the stories I found very interesting was the story of the Coyote and Buffalo. It shows how Native Americans came up with stories to explain things they did not understand. For instance, how there are no buffalo over the mountain. They created the story of Coyote and Buffalo to explain why this was so. After Coyote helped Buffalo Bill defeat his enemy, Coyote was given a calf with endless meat. However, Coyote became greedy and tried to eat the whole cow. With his cow devoured by crows, Coyote returned to Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill was dissapointed in the fact that Coyote did not follow directions. So he did not give him another one, as Coyote was made to return to his country, over the mountain, without a cow. And this is why the Natives believed there are no buffalo over the mountain.