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First Nations Myths
The character of Coyote is a vivid one in First Nations Mythology, active as the trickster, imitator and prankster. Coyote is forever playing tricks for a meal or a laugh. In his adventures he often falls for his own tricks.
These two legends serve as examples of the impulsiveness and creativity that First Nations storytellers granted Coyote and of the humour and pleasure the storytellers granted their listeners.
Coyote learns from Turtle (Adapted from the Hopi)
Just after sunrise, Turtle left his pond for a walk, snacking on leaves and tasty plants along the way. He walked and he ate. He ate and he walked. He got father and father away from his home. Some time later the sun had grown strong. The heat for Turtle in his shell became unbearable. He needed water. The sun was going to kill him. He had walked too far to go back home. There was nothing he could do. He retreated into a hole and started to cry: "OWWWWW! OWWWW!"
Coyote heard Turtle's cries and thought "What a great song!" He followed the noise until he found Turtle and said "Turtle, what a nice song."
"I am crying," said Turtle "not singing."
"Nevermind," said Coyote "teach me that turtle song and then I'll roast you on a fire for my meal."
"Coyote," said Turtle "everyone knows turtle shells can't burn. Flames cant hurt us."
"Then I will carry you up that mountain and drop you on the rocks below. Your shell will burst open and my meal will be ready," said Coyote.
"Coyote, stop being foolish. You must know that our shells are stronger than any rock or stone. Our shells never crack."
"Well," Coyote said. "The river will wash your shell away. You will drown. Then I will eat you."
"No! Coyote, please Coyote, not that. Please Dear Friend, don't put me in the water. If you do I will die."
Coyote grabbed Turtle between his jaws and ran to the stream at top speed, throwing Turtle in the water. Turtle rose to the surface. "Thank you, Coyote," he shouted. "Not only did you save my life but you brought me home."
Coyote walked off, talking to himself. "Turtle is smarter than I thought. I will remember this lesson."
Coyote Goes to a Dance (Adapted from the Plains Ojibwa)
One night Coyote was trotting along a path beside a lake, when he heard the dance steps of a thousand beings.
"This is great," thought coyote, "I love to dance. None can dance like me."
He ran forward, howling and yipping, and joined the shadows of a thousand dancers. They danced all night, jumping, turning and twisting without stopping. As dawn came closer Coyote was still dancing, but his feet hurt and his throat was sore from singing.
He closed his eyes to concentrate. "I am the best dancer here," he thought "so, I must continue. But, I am so tired. I hope this dance ends soon."
As the sun rose Coyote was too tired to continue. He opened his eyes and discovered he was the only one there. He had been dancing in a field of reeds and tall grass all night long. He collapsed in the area he had flattened while dancing. Coyote still sleeps there today.
