The author indicates the similarity of an American Indian folk tale to a classic French tale classified as Aarne-Thompson 569. The various actions depicted in this tale are elaborately interpreted as symbolically representing the transition from pregenital to genital organization of the libido. It is further suggested that one can find in this story representation of the passing of the oedipus complex. This type of psychoanalytic interpretation of artistic works is a common practice, but it seems more akin to the not-so-free associations of an obsessive patient than to serious criticism.