--- title: The Coyote — The man who married the moon, and other Pueblo I… · full text with trees description: The Coyote, «The man who married the moon, and other Pueblo Indian folk-stories» by Charles Fletcher Lummis: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: ALL the animals with which the Tée-wahn are familiar--the buffalo (which they used to hunt on the vast pl --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77804/33/) [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/) / [The man who married the moon, and othe…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77804/) / The Coyote # The Coyote The Coyote of «The man who married the moon, and other Pueblo Indian folk-stories» by Charles Fletcher Lummis: the whole text, 100 sentences and 1582 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. ALL the animals with which the Tée-wahn are familiar--the buffalo (which they used to hunt on the vast plains to the eastward), the bear, deer, antelope, mountain lion, badger, wild turkey, fox, eagle, crow, buzzard, rabbit, and so on--appear in their legends and fairy tales, as well as in their religious ceremonials and beliefs.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") Too-wháy-deh, the Coyote,\[104\] or little prairie wolf, figures in countless stories, and always to his own disadvantage.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Smart as he is in some things, he believes whatever is told him; and by his credulity becomes the butt of all the other animals, who never tire of “April-fooling” him.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") He is also a great coward.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") To call an Indian here “\_Too-wháy-deh\_” is one of the bitterest insults that can be offered him.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") \[104\] Pronounced Coy-óh-ty.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") You have already heard how the Coyote fared at the hands of the fun-loving Bear, and of the Crows and the Blackbirds.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") A very popular tale is that of his adventure with a bright cousin of his.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Once upon a time Too-wháy-shur-wée-deh, the Little-Blue-Fox,\[105\] was wandering near a pueblo, and chanced to come to the threshing-floors, where a great many crows were hopping.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") Just then the Coyote passed, very hungry; and while yet far off, said: “Ai! how the stomach cries\![10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") I will just eat Little-Blue-Fox.”[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") And coming, he said:[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") \[105\] He is always a hero, and as smart as the Coyote is stupid.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") His beautiful pelt is an important part of the costume worn in many of the sacred dances of the Tée-wahn.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") “Now, Little-Blue-Fox, you have troubled me enough\![15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") You are the cause of my being chased by the dogs and people, and now I will pay you.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") I am going to eat you up this very now!”[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") “No, Coyote-friend,” answered the Little-Blue-Fox, “\_don’t\_ eat me up\![18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") I am here guarding these chickens, for there is a wedding in yonder house, which is my master’s, and these chickens are for the wedding-dinner.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Soon they will come for the chickens, and will invite me to the dinner--and you can come also.”[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") “Well,” said the Coyote, “if \_that\_ is so, I will not eat you, but will help you watch the chickens.”[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") So he lay down beside him.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") At this, Little-Blue-Fox was troubled, thinking how to get away; and at last he said:[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") “Friend Too-wháy-deh, I make strange that they have not before now come for the chickens.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") Perhaps they have forgotten.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") The best way is for me to go to the house and see what the servants are doing.”[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") “It is well,” said the Coyote.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") “Go, then, and I will guard the chickens for you.”[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") So the Little-Blue-Fox started toward the house; but getting behind a small hill, he ran away with fast feet.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") When it was a good while, and he did not come back, the Coyote thought: “While he is gone, I will give myself some of the chickens.”[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Crawling up on his belly to the threshing-floor, he gave a great leap.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") But the chickens were only crows, and they flew away.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he began to say evil of the Little-Blue-Fox for giving him a trick, and started on the trail, vowing: “I will eat him up wherever I catch him.”[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") After many miles he overtook the Little-Blue-Fox, and with a bad face said: “Here\![34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Now I am going to eat you up!”[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") The other made as if greatly excited, and answered: “No, friend Coyote\![36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Do you not hear that \_tombé\_\[106\]?”[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") \[106\] Pronounced tom-báy.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") The sacred drum used in Pueblo dances.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") The Coyote listened, and heard a drum in the pueblo.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") “Well,” said the Little-Blue-Fox, “I am called for that dance,\[107\] and very soon they will come for me.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Won’t you go too?”[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") \[107\] In all such Indian dances the participants are named by the officials.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") “If that is so, I will not eat you, but we will go to the dance.”[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") And the Coyote sat down and began to comb his hair and to make himself pretty with face-paint.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") When no one came, the Little-Blue-Fox said:[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") “Friend Coyote, I make strange that the \_alguazil\_ does not come.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") It is best for me to go up on this hill, whence I can see into the village.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") You wait here.”[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") “He will not dare to give me another trick,” thought the Coyote.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") So he replied: “It is well.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") But do not forget to call me.”[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") So the Little-Blue-Fox went up the hill; and as soon as he was out of sight, he began to run for his life.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Very long the Coyote waited; and at last, being tired, went up on the hill--but there was no one there.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he was very angry, and said: “I will follow him, and eat him surely\![55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Nothing\_ shall save him!”[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") And finding the trail, he began to follow as fast as a bird.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") Just as the Little-Blue-Fox came to some high cliffs, he looked back and saw the Coyote coming over a hill.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") So he stood up on his hind feet and put his fore paws up against the cliff, and made many groans, and was as if much excited.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") In a moment came the Coyote, very angry, crying: “Now you shall not escape me\![60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") I am going to eat you up now--now!”[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") “Oh, no, friend Too-wháy-deh!” said the other; “for I saw this cliff falling down, and ran to hold it up.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") If I let go, it will fall and kill us both.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") But come, help me to hold it.”[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the Coyote stood up and pushed against the cliff with his fore paws, very hard; and there they stood side by side.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") Time passing so, the Little-Blue-Fox said:[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") “Friend Too-wháy-deh, it is long that I am holding up the cliff, and I am very tired and thirsty.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") You are fresher.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") So you hold up the cliff while I go and hunt water for us both; for soon you too will be thirsty.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") There is a lake somewhere on the other side of this mountain; I will find it and get a drink, and then come back and hold up the cliff while you go.”[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") The Coyote agreed, and the Little-Blue-Fox ran away over the mountain till he came to the lake, just as the moon was rising.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") But soon the Coyote was very tired and thirsty, for he held up the cliff with all his might.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") At last he said: “Ai! how hard it is\![73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") I am so thirsty that I will go to the lake, even if I die!”[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") So he began to let go of the cliff, slowly, slowly--until he held it only with his finger-nails; and then he made a great jump away backward, and ran as hard as he could to a hill.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") But when he looked around and saw that the cliff did not fall, he was very angry, and swore to eat Too-wháy-shur-wée-deh the very minute he should catch him.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") Running on the trail, he came to the lake; and there the Little-Blue-Fox was lying on the bank, whining as if greatly excited.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") “Now I \_will\_ eat you up, this minute!” cried the Coyote.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") But the other said: “No, Friend Too-wháy-deh\![79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") Don’t eat \_me\_ up\![80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") I am waiting for some one who can swim as well as you can.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") I just bought a big cheese\[108\] from a shepherd to share with you; but when I went to drink, it slipped out of my hands into the water.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") Come here, and I will show you.”[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") He took the Coyote to the edge of the high bank, and pointed to the moon in the water.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") \[108\] Of course chickens and cheeses were not known to the Pueblos before the Spanish conquest; and the cheese is so vital a part of the story that I hardly think it can be an interpolation.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") So this tale, though very old, is probably not ancient--that is, it has been invented since 1600.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") “M--m!” said the Coyote, who was fainting with hunger.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") “But how shall I get it?[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") It is very deep in the water, and I shall float up before I can dive to it.”[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") “That is true, friend,” said the other.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") “There is but one way.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") We must tie some stones to your neck, to make you heavy so you can go down to it.”[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") So they hunted about until they found a buckskin thong and some large stones; and the Little-Blue-Fox tied the stones to the Coyote’s neck, the Coyote holding his chin up, to help.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") “Now, friend Too-wháy-deh, come here to the edge of the bank and stand ready.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") I will take you by the back and count \_weem\_, \_wée-si\_, \_p’áh-chu\_\![95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") And when I say \_three\_, you must jump and I will push--for now you are very heavy.”[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") So he took the Coyote by the back of the neck, swaying him back and forth as he counted.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") And at “\_p’áh-chu\![98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") \_” he pushed hard, and the Coyote jumped, and went into the deep water, and--never came out again\![99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") XXXII[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [The Hungry Grandfathers](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77804/32/) - next →: [Doctor Field-mouse](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77804/34/) - ↑ back to [The man who married the moon, and other Pueblo Indian folk-stories](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77804/)