Coyote Maintains His Name

by Alan Nafzger & Lilly Tabbytite (Comanche)

The Great Spirit once summoned all of the Animal People together. They came from all over the world to set up their lodges in one camp. There would be a change, according to the Spirit Chief. There would be a new type of person emerging.

He informed all of the animal people that they would now be required to have names.

Some of you now have names, while others do not. Everyone will have a name by tomorrow. This will be your surname for all of your descendants. You must come to my lodge in the morning and select your name. The first person to arrive may choose any name they wish. The following person will use any other name. That is how it will be. And I will assign work to each individual. "

All of the animal people desired to have commanding names and to be well known. They wanted to be the first people to arrive at Old Man's Lodge in the morning. Coyote walked around, claiming to be the first. He disliked his given name. He was known as the Trickster and Imitator. Everyone said those names suited him, but he preferred a new one.

"I'll take one of the three powerful names," Coyote said. The Mountain People, Grizzly Bear, who rules all four-leggeds, or Eagle, who rules the birds, or Good Swimmer, the Salmon, the Fish People's chief." These are the most creative names. "I'll go with one of these names."

"Maybe you will have to keep the name you have, Sinkalip," Fox, Coyote's brother, said. That is not a popular name. It is not desired by anyone."

"I'm sick of that name, Sinkalip!" exclaimed Coyote. "Leave it to an old man who can't do anything." I am a fighter! You will not act like this tomorrow when I am called Grizzly Bear, Eagle, or Salmon. You'll beg for my new name, brother. "

"You should go home and get some sleep, Sinkalip," Fox advised, "or you won't wake up in time to get any name."

But Coyote did not return home. He went around asking questions of the animal people. When he heard the responses, he'd say, "Oh, I knew that before." I didn't need to ask. " This was his personality. He threw away his shirt during a game of hoop and stick, then went home and talked to his wife. After the naming ceremony, she would be known as Mole, the Mound Digger.

"Bring in a lot of wood right now." I'll have to stay up all night. I have to get a new name tomorrow. I'll play Grizzly Bear. "I intend to be a great warrior and chief."

Coyote sat by the fire, watching it. Moo slept in the same room as the kids. Half of the night had passed. Coyote fell asleep. His eyes became heavy and began to close, so he wedged two small sticks between his eyelids to keep them open. "Now I can stay awake," he thought, but he was soon asleep with his eyes open.

When Coyote awoke, the sun was high in the sky. Coyote was awakened by Mole's noise. She didn't wake him up before this because she was afraid that if he got a good name, he'd leave her. As a result, she remained silent.

Coyote walked right over to Old Man's lodge. He saw no one else and assumed he was the first. He walked right in and declared, "I'm going to be Grizzly Bear." That is going to be my name. " He was speaking quite loudly.

"The name Grizzly Bear was chosen at dawn," the Great Spirit explained.

"Then I'll be known as Eagle."

"At sunrise, the eagle flew away."

"Well, then, I'll be called Salmon," Coyote said quietly.

"The name Salmon has also been taken," the Great Spirit explained. "Everyone else's name has been taken except yours." Nobody wanted to take your name."

Coyote appeared depressed. He sat down by the fire and kept to himself. The Great Spirit has been moved.

"Imitator, you must keep your name," he said. It's a great name for you. I forced you to sleep late because I wanted you to have that name. I wanted you to be the last person to arrive. I need you to complete some important tasks. The New People are on their way, and you will be their leader.

"There are many evil creatures on the planet." You must eliminate them. Otherwise, the new people will be eaten. New people will respect you if you do this. They will say you are an outstanding chief. Even those who follow them will remember what you did, and they will honor you for killing the people-devouring monsters and teaching the new people all the ways of life.

"When the New People arrive, they will know nothing, not how to dress, sing, or shoot an arrow." You will demonstrate how to do all of these things. And show them how to catch salmon by putting buffalo out for them.

"But you will do foolish things as well, and the new people will mock you for it." You can't help yourself. This will be your method.

"I'll give you a special power to help you with your work." You will be able to transform into anything. Except for the water, you will be able to communicate with and hear anything.

"If you die, you will be resurrected." This will be your method. Do your job well, changing person!"

Coyote was relieved. He went right out and started working. That's how it was with him. He set out to right the wrongs.