--- title: Iktomi and the Coyote — Old Indian Legends · full text with trees description: Iktomi and the Coyote, «Old Indian Legends» by Zitkala-Sa: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: AFAR off upon a large level land, a summer sun was shining bright. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Old Indian Legends](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/) / Iktomi and the Coyote # Iktomi and the Coyote Iktomi and the Coyote of «Old Indian Legends» by Zitkala-Sa: the whole text, 65 sentences and 992 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself; 3 of them are in the tales treebank and were checked by a teacher model. - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/1/) — AFAR off upon a large level land, a summer sun was shining bright. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/2/) — Here and there over the rolling green were tall bunches of coarse gray weeds. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/3/) — Iktomi in his fringed buckskins walked alone across the prairie with a black bare head glossy in the sunlight. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/4/) — He walked through the grass without following any well-worn footpath. - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/5/) — From one large bunch of coarse weeds to another he wound his way about the great plain. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/6/) — He lifted his foot lightly and placed it gently forward like a wildcat prowling noiselessly through the thick grass. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/7/) — He stopped a few steps away from a very large bunch of wild sage. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/8/) — From shoulder to shoulder he tilted his head. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/9/) — Still farther he bent from side to side, first low over one hip and then over the other. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/10/) — Far forward he stooped, stretching his long thin neck like a duck, to see what lay under a fur coat beyond the bunch of coarse grass. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/11/) — A sleek gray-faced prairie wolf! his pointed black nose tucked in between his four feet drawn snugly together; his handsome bushy tail wound over his nose and feet; a coyote fast asleep in the shadow of a bunch of grass!--this is what Iktomi spied. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/12/) — Carefully he raised one foot and cautiously reached out with his toes. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/13/) — Gently, gently he lifted the foot behind and placed it before the other. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/14/) — Thus he came nearer and nearer to the round fur ball lying motionless under the sage grass. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/15/) — Now Iktomi stood beside it, looking at the closed eyelids that did not quiver the least bit. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/16/) — Pressing his lips into straight lines and nodding his head slowly, he bent over the wolf. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/17/) — He held his ear close to the coyote's nose, but not a breath of air stirred from it. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/18/) — “Dead!” said he at last. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/19/) — “Dead, but not long since he ran over these plains! - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/20/) — See! there in his paw is caught a fresh feather. - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/21/) — He is nice fat meat!” - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/22/) — Taking hold of the paw with the bird feather fast on it, he exclaimed, “Why, he is still warm! - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/23/) — I'll carry him to my dwelling and have a roast for my evening meal. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/24/) — Ah-ha!” he laughed, as he seized the coyote by its two fore paws and its two hind feet and swung him over head across his shoulders. - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/25/) — The wolf was large and the teepee was far across the prairie. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/26/) — Iktomi trudged along with his burden, smacking his hungry lips together. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/27/) — He blinked his eyes hard to keep out the salty perspiration streaming down his face. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/28/) — All the while the coyote on his back lay gazing into the sky with wide open eyes. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/29/) — His long white teeth fairly gleamed as he smiled and smiled. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/30/) — “To ride on one's own feet is tiresome, but to be carried like a warrior from a brave fight is great fun!” said the coyote in his heart. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/31/) — He had never been borne on any one's back before and the new experience delighted him. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/32/) — He lay there lazily on Iktomi's shoulders, now and then blinking blue winks. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/33/) — Did you never see a birdie blink a blue wink? - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/34/) — This is how it first became a saying among the plains people. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/35/) — When a bird stands aloof watching your strange ways, a thin bluish white tissue slips quickly over his eyes and as quickly off again; so quick that you think it was only a mysterious blue wink. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/36/) — Sometimes when children grow drowsy they blink blue winks, while others who are too proud to look with friendly eyes upon people blink in this cold bird-manner. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/37/) — The coyote was affected by both sleepiness and pride. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/38/) — His winks were almost as blue as the sky. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/39/) — In the midst of his new pleasure the swaying motion ceased. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/40/) — Iktomi had reached his dwelling place. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/41/) — The coyote felt drowsy no longer, for in the next instant he was slipping out of Iktomi's hands. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/42/) — He was falling, falling through space, and then he struck the ground with such a bump he did not wish to breathe for a while. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/43/) — He wondered what Iktomi would do, thus he lay still where he fell. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/44/) — Humming a dance-song, one from his bundle of mystery songs, Iktomi hopped and darted about at an imaginary dance and feast. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/45/) — He gathered dry willow sticks and broke them in two against his knee. - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/46/) — He built a large fire out of doors. — checked by a teacher - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/47/) — The flames leaped up high in red and yellow streaks. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/48/) — Now Iktomi returned to the coyote who had been looking on through his eyelashes. — checked by a teacher - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/49/) — Taking him again by his paws and hind feet, he swung him to and fro. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/50/) — Then as the wolf swung toward the red flames, Iktomi let him go. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/51/) — Once again the coyote fell through space. - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/52/) — Hot air smote his nostrils. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/53/) — He saw red dancing fire, and now he struck a bed of cracking embers. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/54/) — With a quick turn he leaped out of the flames. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/55/) — From his heels were scattered a shower of red coals upon Iktomi's bare arms and shoulders. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/56/) — Dumbfounded, Iktomi thought he saw a spirit walk out of his fire. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/57/) — His jaws fell apart. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/58/) — He thrust a palm to his face, hard over his mouth! - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/59/) — He could scarce keep from shrieking. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/60/) — Rolling over and over on the grass and rubbing the sides of his head against the ground, the coyote soon put out the fire on his fur. — checked by a teacher - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/61/) — Iktomi's eyes were almost ready to jump out of his head as he stood cooling a burn on his brown arm with his breath. - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/62/) — Sitting on his haunches, on the opposite side of the fire from where Iktomi stood, the coyote began to laugh at him. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/63/) — “Another day, my friend, do not take too much for granted. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/64/) — Make sure the enemy is stone dead before you make a fire!” - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/5/65/) — Then off he ran so swiftly that his long bushy tail hung out in a straight line with his back. - ← previous: [Iktomi and the Muskrat](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/4/) - next →: [Iktomi and the Fawn](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/6/) - ↑ back to [Old Indian Legends](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg338/)