In ancient times, a Coyote living in Cedar Canyon discovers the children of Kʻyámakwe, a god associated with the Sacred Dance. Enchanted by their beauty, he decides to steal them, believing they would make fine additions to his family. His wife, initially skeptical, suggests he enlist the help of other Coyotes to capture the children, leading him to rally various tribes for an expedition. The Coyote organizes a plan to scale Thunder Mountain by forming a chain of Coyotes, each grasping the tail of the one in front. However, their attempt is thwarted when one Coyote sneezes, causing the entire line to tumble down the mountain. The commotion attracts the attention of a warrior from the Kâkâ, who rushes to protect the children. By the time he arrives, the children have already been rescued, and he retaliates against the Coyotes, punishing them for their audacity. The story concludes with the transformation of the dancers of the Long Horn, who now wear coyote-skin collars and have blue faces, a result of the Coyote's failed attempt to steal the divine children. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about hubris and the consequences of overreaching ambition.
By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1883 · Genre: Folklore, Fantasy, Children's Literature