Coyote  has been  around "a million years." He was here long
before "The People" came in "star canoes," paddling down the Milky Way
to places where that spirit river spills out on our world. Trickster,
hero, one thing is for certain: life is never dull when he's around.
        From Maine to California, from the frozen tundra to the
scorching deserts of the Southwest, Coyote stories have been told. Every
storyteller has his own way of presenting him.  The following tale is my
own rendition of "Why The Tip of Coyote's Tail is Black." It is based
on a Paiute legend and several other inter-tribal legends told here in
the Great Basin. I hope, especially, Children will enjoy it. It is meant
to entertain.
                WHY THE TIP OF COYOTE'S TAIL IS BLACK
                                  by
                             D.A. Clayton
        One time, when Lightning was walking about the prairie, Coyote
kept nipping at his heels.
        "You'd better stop," Lightning warned him once or twice. "if you
don't, I'm going to set your tail on fire."
        Coyote laughed and ran away. Then he hid behind some sagebrush a
little farther down the trail. When Lightning came along, Coyote jumped
out and nipped him again. Then Lightning shot a flaming arrow, striking
Coyote's tail.
        Coyote yelped and headed for the nearest water hole, leaving a
trail of sparks behind him.
        High up in Sky Country, Great Grandfather was watching that
commotion. "That Coyote is up to his old tricks again!" exclaimed Great
Grandfather. "I'd better go down there and have a talk with him."
        Great Grandfather found Coyote at the water hole, soaking his
badly scorched tail. "I won't nip at anyone's heels again," Coyote
vowed. "Just see what happened to my tail! The tip of it is all black!"
        "It certainly is," agreed Great Grandfather, "and it's going to
stay that way, as long as you play tricks."
        Then, Great Grandfather gave Coyote some medicine and returned
to Sky Country.
        After that, Coyote tried to mend his ways. But, Coyote is still
Coyote, and the tip of his tail is still black.
                               (c) 1993
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