by Alan Nafzger & Lilly Tabbytite (Comanche)
Coyote lived in a large village.
"Oh Grandmother," he remarked one day, "I wonder where my younger brother lives."
"Who is that?" his grandmother inquired.
"Oh, Woodpecker, you know."
"Of course, yes." The river begins near some hills in that direction at a certain point. All of the trees grow close to the river in that area, and there is good bottomland. That's where he calls home. "
"That's where it's at. I can't see that house from here, but I'm guessing that's where he lives. " I think I'll go over and pay him a visit. "
"That's the way," his grandmother said. "This is something your aunts and uncles do all the time."
So Coyote went over to the river's head, where the trees grew. He went inside Woodpecker's house after finding it.
"Hey, my brother, what a pleasant surprise," Woodpecker exclaimed.
"I haven't come for anything specific," Coyote said, looking around. "I just happened to think of you at the time." "'Why, I think I'll go over and see my brother Woodpecker!' I reasoned.
Well, I'm not sure what I can offer you to eat. We don't have any food right now. I'll have to look for something. " "My wife, where is that gathering skin?" Woodpecker asked his wife. He set out after she handed it to him.
He went out into the woods to find a magnificent tree. He landed on the side and began thumping it to hear what kind of noise it made. He thumped his way up the side until he heard a sound he liked. Then he started pecking a hole because that's where the honey was. It was lovely, honey, and once he had a good flow going, he spread his gathering skin on the ground to catch it. He stopped the flow and returned to the ground once he had a sufficient supply. He then tied up his bundle and began walking back home.
He went inside the house where he and his wife lived when he arrived. He placed the honey in a wooden bowl in front of Coyote. "There, go ahead and eat this, my brother."
But Coyote was so taken with the sweet taste that he ate the entire thing. "Oh, I haven't felt this good in a long time." And, my brother, I should be on my way right now. Our grandmother may be looking for me. I told her I'd be there early. "
So Coyote left and returned to his home, where he went inside.
"So you've returned," his grandmother said. "Did you see your brother, Woodpecker?"
"Oh yes, Grandmother, and I'll tell you, he gave me something delicious to eat."
"What exactly is that?"
"That's what it was, honey. It was in a large wooden bowl that was nearly full. You might not believe it, but I ate every last drop of that honey because it was so delicious.
"That's how your uncles and aunts behave when they visit each other. They give the best of what they have to each other. They're like that with each other. They speak a lot. "Did you have a good conversation with your brother?"
"Oh, yes, we did talk a lot about that, honey."
"That's great."