The Coyote and the Ravens who Raced their Eyes

Name: The Coyote and the Ravens who Raced their Eyes
Author: Frank Hamilton Cushing

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 · 2,029 words

First lines

Long, long ago, in the days of the ancients, there lived in Hómaiakwin, or the Canyon of the Cedars, a Coyote -- doubtless the same one I have told you of as having made friends with the Woodpounder bird. As you know, this canyon in which he lived is below the high eastern cliff of Face Mountain.

This Coyote was out walking one day. On leaving his house he had said that he was going hunting; but -- miserable fellow! -- who ever knew a Coyote to catch anything, unless it were a prairie-dog or a wood-rat or a locust or something of the kind? So you may depend upon it he was out walking; that is, wandering around to see what he could see.

What this Textopian page supports

The Coyote and the Ravens who Raced their Eyes is listed on Textopian as a fable 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: Fable
Author: Frank Hamilton Cushing
Date: 1883 CE
Language: English
Genres: Folklore, Mythology, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Humor
Length: 2,029 words
Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Folklore — The story is rooted in traditional storytelling, featuring anthropomorphic animals and moral lessons typical of folklore.
Mythology — It incorporates elements of creation myths and cultural explanations for natural phenomena, characteristic of mythological narratives.
Children's Literature — The simple language, humor, and moral lessons make it suitable for a young audience.
Fantasy — The fantastical elements, such as talking animals and magical occurrences, place it within the fantasy genre.