The Berries in the Stream

by Alan Nafzger & Lilly Tabbytite (Comanche)

The Berries in the Stream

A coyote was passing by one day and was hungry. He came to the edge of a stream and noticed some bright red berries in the water. He dove into the water, all the way to the stream's bottom, but there were no berries to be found.

He waited for the water to clear as soon as he got up on the bank. There they were, right where he'd seen them the first time. He dove back in. He searched the bottom with his hands, but he couldn't find any berries. Coyote became enraged.

He tried again, but this time he was unsuccessful.

Finally, he believed he had a solution. He tied rocks to his legs to make himself heavy so he could stay down for a longer period of time. He jumped in and searched the entire bottom, but there were no berries to be found.

He almost drowned before he could get to the bank, where he collapsed exhausted. He noticed the berries right above him. They were only reflections in the water. Coyote became enraged. He took up a stick and began beating the berry bush.