by Alan Nafzger & Lilly Tabbytite (Comanche)
The Eagle was the leader of a village. Coyote was also present. He could talk for hours and knew everything. Prairie Falcon was in attendance. He was ferocious. The large and small ground owls were medicine men who lived there as well. The Panther was present. He was an excellent hunter. There were also weasels, foxes, and magpies living there. They were high rollers. Many others lived there as well.
The hunters, Eagle, Prairie Falcon, and Panther, went out every day in search of rabbits. Coyote delivered wood to every house but never went hunting. When the hunters returned, they gave the entrails to Coyote. He took them home and breathed on them, transforming them back into rabbits.
Every day, the gamblers played with the hoop and stick at the gambling ground.
Coyote went out to meet a small, black-eared rabbit who came close to the village one day. He drove him to Eagle's Lodge. The rabbit was carrying pine nuts and seeds with him. He gave everything to the Eagle.
Rabbit went out the next morning and began gambling with Fox. Everything was won by the rabbit. He took home all of Weasel's beads. He took everything Magpie had. He took all of the gamblers' money. There was nothing left for anyone.
But Coyote stood there, but he wasn't gambling. He was a consultant.
They stopped gambling that night because no one had anything to bet on, but they resumed the next morning. Rabbit began gambling with Prairie Falcon this time. The Prairie Falcons defeated the Rabbits in every game. He won everything Rabbit had won the day before, including the beads Eagle had given Rabbit in exchange for the food.
"I don't have anything left," Rabbit admitted.
"Experiment with your ear," Prairie Falcon suggested.
The Prairie Falcon won Rabbit's ear after he agreed. He severed it. "Try with the other ear," he suggested, and Rabbit agreed.
"Wait," said Coyote. "I'll be right there."
Coyote went to Prairie Falcon's lodge, where his wife was stitching a basket. He transformed himself into the Prairie Falcon. "Wife, give me my ball," he said as he leaned against the door.
"Where can I find it?"
"It's beside my pillow."
She couldn't locate it. "Come get it for yourself."
Coyote entered the house, lifted the pillow, and there it was, the ball. He pointed it out to his wife, and when she looked over, he grabbed her and dragged her down to the bed, where he had sexual relations with her.
The Prairie Falcon began to deteriorate.
The Rabbit reclaimed everything. He reclaimed everything he had previously lost. Prairie Falcon's bets were all won by him.
Coyote returned and inquired about the bet.