Cree Moon Mythology and Folktale

A Cree legend offers a tale about a young rabbit who wished to ride the Moon. Only a sandhill crane was willing to take him. The trip stretched the crane’s legs as the heavy rabbit held them tightly, leaving them elongated as the crane’s legs are now. When they reached the Moon, the rabbit touched the crane’s head with a bleeding paw, leaving the red mark cranes to wear to this day. According to this legend, on clear nights, Rabbit can still be seen riding the Moon. The legend of the Moon Rabbit permeates art and culture through time.