In this episode of Tales of Bedlam, hosts Micah and Dustin unravel the strange and cautionary tale of The Bad Little Girl of Acoma, a Native American folktale transcribed by Elizabeth Willis DeHuff. What begins with a wayward turkey quickly spirals into something far more bizarre—and darkly hilarious—as a disobedient little girl hurls herself (and a poor turkey) into watery doom.
Expect the usual Bedlam banter, historical asides, cultural context, and a whole lot of jokes about turkey slapping, magic moccasins, and questionable parenting techniques. With insights into the Hopi and Pueblo storytelling traditions and DeHuff’s early 20th-century work collecting Indigenous tales, this episode is as oddly educational as it is absurd.
Whether you’re here for folklore, laughs, or both—this tale about consequences, transformations, and angry water gods will surely stick with you.
What did you make of the Bad Little Girl of Acoma? Was the ending justified or just bizarre?
Drop us a comment below, share your favorite weird folktale moment, or let us know if you’ve ever had to chase a rogue turkey. We love hearing from our listeners—join the Bedlam!
