Emma La Vatta (born ca. 1890) entered Carlisle in 1905 and graduated in 1911. After graduating she returned to Idaho, where in 1912 she sought a position as matron in the Indian School Service. (Littlefield and Parins, Biobibliography: Supplement, 242; Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center)
Once upon a time a family of deer lived near a large river. The family was of the buck, doe, and three fawns. Whenever the doe went in search of food she always left the fawns at home and told them not to let any one in, no matter who came, because not very far from them, across the river, lived an old bear who might devour the young fawns. As the mother had said, the bear came and tried to get in, but they kept so still he went away thinking no one was at home.
Finally, one day he watched the doe go away and noticed the fawns were not with her, so as soon as she was out of sight the bear went over and pawed until he broke in and killed the three fawns. He then left.
When the doe returned and found her children dead she knew it was the bear’s mischief and started to go to the bear’s cave where she might kill him, but when she came to the river she saw she could not cross. As she stood there meditating what to do, two eagles, knowing her trouble, told her they would carry her across, but when they reached the middle of the river they dropped her and she was drowned. While all this was happening the buck was on the other side of the mountain and when he reached home he found the fawns dead and the doe gone, so he buried the fawns and went to find the doe. On reaching the river the same eagles offered to assist him who had attempted to carry the doe across. This time they succeeded. When they reached the other side he found a large gathering of animals and the bear told him to stay inside of the cave and not to look out because they were going to have a war and he might be killed if he did not obey. When the war began, however, it was too much of a temptation, so he went out and was killed. The bear took the skin and stretched it over his door, so no one could look out when inside.
Usually you will find a deerskin stretched over the door of an Indian’s wigwam.20
Once upon a time there were two little boys who lived out on the western plains. Their names were Bow and Arrow. They were nearly the same size and enjoyed similar games and sports. They lived most of the time in the mountains where the game was plentiful and the streams full of trout. They naturally became skillful hunters and fishers. While they were away from home they depended upon whatever they could find, such as berries and roots, for food. The game they always took home for a great feast, which was spread in honor of their success. One day while they were out hunting they became hungry and there were no signs of vegetation near, so they thought probably if they went on the other side of the mountain they would find some berries, as they saw a great deal of shrubbery and trees. In order to make their way shorter they climbed around the mountain and found all the ripe berries they wanted; but while they were busily eating they heard a loud noise, and looking up the mountain side they saw a large stone which had broken loose from another rock rolling down the mountain side in their direction. They had moved out of the way and were standing on some rocks watching it when a large snake crept out from under the bushes, and the stone rolled over its head; and that is why the snake’s head is flat.21