The wolf and the panther objected to man, because he could conceal himself and spring with greater surety than they.
The raccoon said that man was more daring, and could climb higher than he.
The deer complained that man could outrun him.
So when Chief Porcupine asked who would take the boy and care for him, each of these animals in turn said that he would gladly do so.
Mother Bear sat by and listened as each offered to care for the boy. She did not say anything, but she was thinking hard,—for a bear. At last she spoke.
To the beaver she said, "You cannot take the boy; you will drown him on the way to your lodge."
To the fox she said, "You cannot take him; you would teach him to cheat and steal, while pretending to be a friend; neither can the wolf or the panther have him, for they are counting on having something good to eat.
"You, deer, lost your upper teeth for eating human flesh. And, too, you have no home, you are a tramp.