Coyote Seeks His Power (Part One)

This is the first in an on-going series of Coyote stories I am writing. Coyote is nearly always getting himself in trouble, but in this series he sets out to become less foolish. I hope to post one every once in while, just for fun.

Coyote Goes Fishing

In the time before time, the people had not yet been born. Animals were the first beings on the Earth. Among the animals, not one was more powerful, or more foolish, than Coyote. You see, Coyote possessed great magic. He could even change shapes.

One day Coyote was fishing along a small stream. He saw Eagle flying far up in the sky. Eagle was a great fisherman. He was much better than Coyote. Coyote watched Eagle fly straight down from the clouds. Eagle flew down to the water and pulled a trout from the stream with his powerful talons.

Coyote had been fishing all morning and had not caught a thing. He was jealous of Eagle’s great skill. He thought that if he could fly, he too could see where the fish are and catch one.

Once, a long time ago, he had tried to fly by sticking duck feathers to his legs with honey. He climbed to the edge of a cliff and jumped. He flapped his legs wildly. One by one, the feathers came loose. Coyote fell to the ground with a thud. He decided he would not try that again.

Coyote looked around and saw a giant cedar tree beside the creek. “I can climb to the top of the tree and see where the fish are,” he thought. He smiled a sly dog smile. He was pleased with his plan.

Now, dogs were not meant to climb trees. Coyote looked very silly as he climbed from limb to limb. He had to stop several times to pant for a breath. Finally, he made it to the top of the tree.

From the top of the tall tree, Coyote could see the fish swimming in the creek. Coyote stretched to get a better look. Just as he got the best view, a gust of wind shook the top of the tree. Coyote lost his hold and fell. Bump, whap, thump. From branch to branch he fell, howling the whole way down.

When Coyote hit the ground, he whimpered a little. Squirrel watched the whole thing and laughed at the foolish dog. He went to see if Coyote was okay. “Yes,” Coyote scowled, “I am okay.” His pride was the only thing that was hurt.

“Why not just turn yourself into a bird?” Squirrel asked.

Coyote felt very foolish. “Because I forgot that I can do that,” Coyote replied. Coyote often forgot to think before doing things, especially when he was hungry.

Squirrel laughed. "You have great magic, Song Dog," said squirrel, "but you just don’t know how to use it." Squirrel scampered away before Coyote could get angry.

Coyote sat for a minute, licking his wounds. "Yes, Squirrel is right," thought Coyote. "I must learn to use my power." Coyote dusted himself off and went to find Bear.

Del.Icio.Us Tags: Coyote, Myth, Folktale, Eagle, Squirrel, Bear, Fishing, Foolish, Trickster

Technorati Tags: Coyote, Myth, Folktale, Eagle, Squirrel, Bear, Fishing, Foolish, Trickster