The Borrowed Feathers

by Alan Nafzger & Lilly Tabbytite (Comanche)

Borrowed Feathers

The Bluebirds were grinding corn one day. Coyote arrived and expressed his desire to grind corn as well. The birds knew he didn't know how, but they let him try anyway.

It became extremely hot in the middle of the day. "Let's all go up on that mesa over there and get a cool drink of water," the birds suggested. "What shall we do with our friend here?" one of the birds inquired. "He doesn't have any feathers." He can't fly that high. We owe him some of our feathers. " They gave him feathers and taught him how to fly as a result.

They then took off for the mesa.

"Let's get there before Coyote," one of the birds suggested. "He always has something filthy around his mouth." He'll contaminate the water. " They arrived before Coyote and had a drink before Coyote flew in. "Let's take back the feathers and leave Coyote up here," one of the Bluebirds suggested. That sounded promising to everyone. They returned their feathers and left.

Coyote spent the entire day looking for a way off the mesa. Finally, he attempted to jump down somewhere, but it was too steep. He sank to the bottom and committed suicide. Later, the Bluebirds flew over to see if Coyote had ever gotten off the mesa. When they discovered he was dead, they were afraid he would try to use bad medicine against them, so they brought him back to life.

Every time a coyote is killed, they do this.