Coyote's Gift

by Amy Friedman and Meredith Johnson

Long ago, when the world was young and human beings were brand-new to this Earth, winter came just as it always had. Everyone in the forest was prepared. The animals' coats grew thick, and they readied their nests and warrens and caves for the long months of cold; the pines and spruce and fir trees offered shelter while the other trees slept. But the humans were not so adaptable. They were startled by the cold wind, shocked by the darkness. Their hair did not grow thick. Their homes were not warm. They were unprepared for such a change. They feared they would never survive.

"We must do something to help the humans," the animals said.

"They need fire," Coyote suggested.

"Yes," the others said in unison, but then each one looked down at the ground. They felt afraid. Way up in the mountains, nearly hidden from sight, there lived three giant and monstrous creatures known as the fire keepers. They had stolen a piece of the sun and guarded it fiercely.

"The fire keepers will never give away their treasure," Chipmunk chattered.

"The fire keepers are even grumpier than I am," growled Bear.

"Who who who can help the people?" Owl lamented.

"I will," said Coyote, and he stood up tall. If anyone could steal fire, it was Coyote, the wiliest of all the creatures.

"You must go soon," the animals urged, for the cold had settled in, and they knew it would not be leaving for many months.

Coyote set off into the mountains. From a distance, he spotted the fire keepers circling their glowing flames. He shivered at the sight of their sharp claws, like daggers, and at their eyes that glowed like tiny red suns.

A branch cracked beneath Coyote's paws. One of the fire keepers turned. "Who's there?" he demanded, peering out into the dark. "Who dares to try sneak up on us?" But Coyote remained still and silent, and after a while the fire keeper stopped staring and walked back toward his companions. "Time to sleep," he said.

At that, the other firekeepers rose and walked toward their cave. All, that is, but one. Coyote felt the fur on his back rising. He was prepared to race in and steal the fire, but the last firekeeper just sat very still, staring into the dancing flames. For several days Coyote stayed at his post, watching the fire keepers coming and going. Soon he understood that someone was always guarding the fire.

There was just one solution, but he would need help. And so he slipped quietly away, then raced back to the gathering in the forest. He explained his plan.

"I'll help," Chipmunk squeaked.

"Who who who wouldn't?" Owl agreed.

"Hope I don't croak," Frog said as he hopped to Coyote's side.

And the tallest tree in the forest bowed in the wind and agreed to do his part in the plan.

"Let us go," Coyote said, and he and Chipmunk and Owl and Frog began the long climb into the mountains.

That very night Coyote stood and watched as the fire keepers said goodnight and walked into their cave, leaving their one guard behind.

After a few moments, when all was silent, Coyote let out a long, mournful "Hooowwwwwlllll."

"Who's there?" the fire keeper snarled. He leapt to his feet and stared with those burning eyes into the night, but Coyote was safely hidden behind a rock. "Hooowwwwwllll," he cried again, and now the firekeepers’ eyes glowed red. "Who are you?" he shrieked, taking a step toward the sound.

At that moment Chipmunk scampered in from behind. He reached into the fire, grabbed a flaming coal and, carrying it on his back, he started to run. But as he was racing downhill, the fire keeper saw him and gave chase. When he was almost upon Chipmunk, he reached out his long, clawed arms. But just before those awful claws reached the coal, Chipmunk tossed it to Frog, who was waiting to catch it. Three hot fingers streaked down Chipmunk's back, leaving three white scars that have never healed.

But now Frog had the coal, and he was leaping fast downhill. "Stop!" the fire keeper hollered, and he picked up speed. He reached out again, and he caught Frog by the tail. Frog, with all his strength, tossed the burning ember to Owl. Furious, the fire keeper yanked hard, and he pulled off Frog's tail, and Frog's tail never grew back.

But now Owl had the fire in his wings and was racing home. When he turned and saw the monster just about to grab him in his terrible arms, his eyes grew round as marbles. Owl knew that he would never blink again. Still, he tossed the fire down into the forest, and the tallest tree caught it and swallowed it whole.

The fire keeper shrieked. "You'll never get another," he howled as he turned and raced back to his fire. The animals cheered. Then they all stood and stared at the tree. "What do we do now?" they asked, for the fire was trapped inside the tree.

"I'll show you," Coyote said, and he winked. He was proud to be so clever. He reached up and took two branches of the tree, and these he rubbed together. Fire came out of the branches.

That very night the animals gave human beings fire. The humans were always grateful to clever Coyote and his friends for this precious gift, and they understood that all the creatures on Earth depend on each other.