Ant and Yellowjacket Legend
At the heart of every culture are the stories and places that sustain its people. For the nimíipuu (Nez Perce), these stories taught children about the landforms that surround them every day, and helped them learn their language, history, and culture. Ant and Yellowjacket is one such place.
The Story
The ants and the yellowjackets were friendly, and shared resources — but they had occasional arguments. One day, the leader of the yellowjackets was sitting on a rock eating a salmon when the leader of the ants walked by. The Ant became jealous and said that he wanted the rock — and that the Yellowjacket should have asked for permission before sitting there.
They then started fighting very loudly, which attracted the attention of Coyote (known as Iceye'ye to the nimíipuu).
Iceye'ye asked them to stop fighting, but they ignored him and continued fighting even more loudly. Iceye'ye then turned them to stone right where they stood.
They remain there today — locked together, their jaws still gripped in stone — a reminder from Coyote about the cost of anger that refuses to listen.