by Alan Nafzger & Lilly Tabbytite (Comanche)
Coyote was walking along the river when he came across some young women bathing. They were on the other side and summoned Coyote, saying, "Brother-in-law, come over and play with us." We'd like to adopt you as a child, one at a time. "
A coyote leapt across the stream and began fondling the woman's breasts.
"What are you up to?" they inquired.
"I'm looking to see who has the best breasts." She will be my mother first and foremost.
Coyote chose one woman and sat with his head in her lap. This woman began picking lice out of his hair, and the other women joined in, picking lice out of his hair as well. This pleased Coyote greatly. He reached for their breasts and attempted to roll over on top of one of the women, but they pushed him back down.
They pointed out, "You're not acting like a good child." They pulled the lice out of his hair and entertained him until he fell asleep in the warm sunlight.
When Coyote awoke, he was twisted all over. His hair was strewn with cockleburs. Because of the knots in his fur, his lips were pulled to one side of his face and his eyes were pulled to the other. His thighs were stuck together, as were his arms and buttocks.
Coyote flopped around, attempting to retrieve his flint knife. He was able to free himself by rolling over on it and cutting away a little hair. The pain was excruciating, and Coyote winced as he cut the hair knots and burst them away. He looked terrible when he was finished, with his hair all messed up.
Coyote set off for his lodge. He began crying just as he approached the village. He pretended to be insane when he arrived at his lodge. He expressed his delight at seeing his wife again. "They told me over there that you were murdered by enemies!" exclaimed Coyote. "So I went out and wept for you." Look at how I cut my hair short and cut myself all over with my knife. Look at all of this blood. Oh, how fortunate I am that you are here. "
"Someone misled you, my husband," his wife said.