In a time long past, a Coyote wanders through the Canyon of the Cedars, claiming to be hunting but instead aimlessly exploring. He encounters two Ravens perched on a rock, engaged in a peculiar activity of racing their eyes. Intrigued by their laughter and the spectacle, the Coyote approaches and learns about their unique ability to send their eyes out of their sockets and have them return. The Coyote, fascinated, expresses a desire to try this trick himself. The Ravens, amused, offer to help him. However, when the Coyote attempts to force his eyes out, he struggles. The Ravens, seeing his eagerness, decide to assist by removing his eyes for him. They successfully pluck them out and send them flying away, leaving the Coyote blind and bewildered. After waiting in vain for his eyes to return, the Coyote realizes he has been tricked. He descends from the rock, feeling his way through the valley. In his search, he stumbles upon ripe yellow cranberries, which he mistakenly believes to be his lost eyes. He places them in his sockets, finding that they provide some vision, albeit not as clear as before. Returning to his companions, the Coyote is now marked by his yellow eyes, a permanent reminder of his folly. This tale explains the origin of the Coyote's yellow eyes and his tendency to be less perceptive than other creatures, illustrating themes of curiosity, deception, and the consequences of one's actions.
By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1883 · Genre: Folklore, Mythology, Children's Literature