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