In the ancient lands of the Pacific Northwest, when the world was still young and the nights were bitterly cold, the people suffered without fire. They shivered under the stars, unable to cook their food or keep the darkness at bay. Fire existed, yes, but it belonged only to three powerful sisters who lived high upon a mountain, where smoke curled endlessly from their lodge. They guarded the flame jealously, keeping its warmth for themselves.
One evening, as the cold wind howled through the valleys, the people gathered and sent for Coyote, the trickster of legend. They knew that if anyone could outwit the sisters, it was him.
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“Coyote,” they pleaded, “you are clever and quick. Bring us fire so that we may live.”
Coyote sat by the cold ashes of an old hearth, his keen eyes reflecting the faint starlight. “Very well,” he said with a grin. “But I will not do it alone.”
He called a council of animals, Bear, Mountain Lion, Wolf, Squirrel, and Frog. Together, they devised a daring plan. Coyote would steal the fire, but each creature would help carry it to safety should danger arise.
That night, under a moon veiled by thin clouds, Coyote began his journey up the mountain. The air grew colder and thinner, and the faint red glow of the sisters’ fire flickered through the mist like a heartbeat. Near the summit, Coyote saw the lodge, its door lit by dancing flame—and the serpent guardian coiled nearby, its scales glinting in the firelight.
Coyote crouched low, thinking hard. Then, with a sly smile, he rolled a pitch ball down the slope toward the sisters’ lodge. The sticky ball caught a spark and blazed brightly as it tumbled past the doorway.
Startled, the three sisters leapt up and ran after it, shouting, “Catch the fire! Catch it before it burns the mountain!”
In that instant, Coyote darted into the lodge, snatched a burning stick, and sped down the mountainside. The serpent hissed and gave chase, its massive body slithering through the trees.
Coyote’s paws pounded the earth as he ran, smoke curling behind him. The serpent was fast, and Coyote knew he could not keep the fire alone. So, he passed the burning stick to Mountain Lion, who bounded ahead with powerful leaps. The serpent gained ground, and Mountain Lion flung the flame to Wolf, who sprinted across rocky ground.
The wind whipped the fire, scattering sparks that glowed like stars. When Wolf tired, he passed it to Squirrel, who darted through the trees with speed unmatched by any creature. Then Squirrel, singed by the heat, tossed it to Frog, who leapt into a stream to cool the ember and carried it in her mouth.
At last, Frog reached the people and spat the ember onto a pile of dry bark. Smoke rose, then flame. The first fire blazed to life, and warmth spread through the camp.
Moments later, Coyote stumbled into the circle, his fur scorched and his paws blackened. The people cheered, their faces glowing in the firelight.
“You have given us life, Coyote,” they said. “We shall never forget.”
Coyote smiled proudly, though his fur still smouldered. “Keep it well,” he warned, “for fire is a living thing. It must be fed, respected, and never wasted.”
From that day, people honoured Coyote for his cleverness and courage. His paws remained dark as a mark of his bravery, and fire has burned in human homes ever since.
Moral Lesson
Wisdom and courage often come from the most unexpected hearts. Even a trickster, guided by compassion, can bring light to the world.
Knowledge Check
1. Who is the main character in the American folktale “How Coyote Brought Fire to the People”?
The main character is Coyote, a clever trickster figure from Native American folklore.
2. What challenge did Coyote face in this folktale?
He had to steal fire from three sisters who guarded it on a mountain, protected by a serpent.
3. Which animals helped Coyote bring fire to the people?
Bear, Mountain Lion, Wolf, Squirrel, and Frog all helped pass the flame safely to the people.
4. What does fire symbolise in Native American folklore?
Fire represents life, knowledge, and the power of transformation and renewal.
5. Why are Coyote’s paws black in the story?
His paws were blackened when he carried the burning stick, symbolising his bravery and sacrifice.
6. What moral lesson does this American folktale teach?
It teaches that courage and cleverness can bring hope and progress to humanity, even through hardship.
Source: Adapted from the Wasco and Warm Springs legend “Coyote Steals Fire,” recorded at Native-Languages.org.
Cultural Origin: United States (Pacific Northwest, Wasco and Warm Springs Tribes)
