How the Coyote Danced with the Blackbirds

Name: How the Coyote Danced with the Blackbirds
Author: Frank Hamilton Cushing

A council of Blackbirds gathers on Gorge Mountain to celebrate autumn with a dance before migrating. A Coyote, captivated by their grace, asks to join. The Blackbirds agree and decide to give him wings by plucking feathers from their sides. However, they only take feathers from one side, causing the Coyote to fly awkwardly and crash into the mountain. The Blackbirds, realizing the Coyote's struggle, decide to help him by adding feathers from the other side and strengthening his wings. After the adjustments, the Coyote successfully flies with them, but his exuberance disrupts the dance. The Blackbirds, displeased with his antics, plot to tire him out. As they fly higher, the Coyote becomes exhausted and calls for help. The Blackbirds pretend to assist him while secretly plucking his feathers, leading to his eventual fall. He crashes to the ground, losing consciousness. Upon waking, he finds his feathers have turned into black fringes, a trait passed down to his descendants. The story concludes with a reflection on the Coyote's legacy, explaining the distinctive markings found on modern coyotes.

By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1883 · Genre: Fable, Folklore, Fantasy · 1,823 words

First lines

One late autumn day in the times of the ancients, a large council of Blackbirds were gathered, fluttering and chattering, on the smooth, rocky slopes of Gorge Mountain, northwest of Zuni. Like ourselves, these birds, as you are well aware, congregate together in autumn time, when the harvests are ripe, to indulge in their festivities before going into winter quarters; only we do not move away, while they, on strong wings and swift, retreat for a time to the Land of Everlasting Summer.

What this Textopian page supports

How the Coyote Danced with the Blackbirds is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank Hamilton Cushing, dated 1883 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Frank Hamilton Cushing
Date: 1883 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Folklore, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure
Length: 1,823 words
Structure: 1 section, 29 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fable — The story features anthropomorphized animals and conveys a moral lesson, characteristic of fables.
Folklore — It draws on cultural elements and traditional storytelling methods, typical of folklore.
Fantasy — The narrative includes magical elements, such as a coyote flying, which is a fantasy trope.
Children's Literature — The simple language and moral lessons make it suitable for a young audience.