Animals have always been mentors to humans, informing them of impending dangers and teaching them how to hunt, gather, and find fresh water. The ways of animals were of such importance that Native Americans began using stories based on these animals to teach life lessons. Stories about these animals emphasized the animals' virtues and repeatedly taught children to be "wise, kind, courageous, or cheerful in the same way as certain birds and animals" (Caduto and Bruchac, XI). An animal of great importance to the tribes of North America was and still is the moose. Moose was not only a source of food but also for clothing, tools, glue and even teepee coverings. Elk teeth were used as jewelry to be worn only by tribal women, also as currency among Native Americans. By examining Native American stories and scientific facts we can see how the physical traits and ecological interactions of elk can be traced back to the culture of the Native American people. The moose is thought to be a prey animal, as the moose only eats vegetation and is not a predator of any kind. In the Sioux legend The Rabbit and the Moose, the moose is a complete prankster. Trick the rabbit into thinking the rabbit killed a moose in his trap. When the rabbit came to check his trap he saw the “dead” moose and ran home to tell his grandmother the good news. “Grandma, I trapped a beautiful moose. From his skin you will have a new dress. Throw the old one into the fire” (First People of America). When the rabbit returned to the trap, the moose stood up and said, "Oh, friend rabbit. You thought to trap me; now I have mocked you," as he ran into the bush. This is a great example of anthropomorphism because it...... middle of paper ......Works Cited"Native American Legends: The Rabbit and the Moose." First People - The Legends. America's First People and Canada's First People: Turtle Island and the Web. April 23, 2014.Duvall, D.C. "The Moose-Woman." Mythology of the Blackfoot Indians. By Clark Wissler. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 1995. 32-33. Print.Lapinski, Mike. The mystique of the moose. Stevensville, MT: Stoneydale, 1998. Print. Fallen, MJ and J. Bruchac. Animal caretakers, Native American stories, and wildlife activities for kids. Fulcrum Publishing, 1998. Print.Toweill. “Moose Anatomy and Physiology – Moose Article No. 2.” North American Moose; Ecology and management. By Thomas. Np: Stackpole, nd Page no. Bowhunting.net. Network. April 27, 2014. "Moose." Wikipedia: the free encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., April 20, 2014. Web. April 27. 2014.