Autumn Reading with Fun Activities
How Coyote Gave Fire to the People
A Native American Story
Retold by Marie Swiston
Illustrated by Gary Tuttle
Long ago,when man first walked on the Earth, the chill of autumn and the bitter cold of winter were
difficult times, especially for the very young and the very old among them.
Coyote, like the rest of the animals, had a fine fur coat to keep him warm, so he did not worry when
the days grew shorter and the sun’s rays weakened. But one spring day, as he approached a human village, he
could hear the laments for those who had been lost during the harsh winter months.
“Our children, holders of our future, have been lost,” cried one old woman.
“Our grandparents, holders of our past, have been lost,” cried one young man.
Coyote felt great pity in his heart, and he decided to do something to help these men and women.
He had traveled far and wide and had seen the mountaintop where the Three Fire Protectors lived. These
Protectors selfishly hoarded their fire, afraid that man might become as powerful as they were if he could
somehow gain control over fire.
So Coyote loped up the mountain of the Fire Protectors and crept close to the area where the
Protectors guarded their precious fire.When they heard someone approaching, the Fire Protectors sprang to
their feet, ready to attack. “Who goes there?” one shouted.
“Show yourself, thief!” hissed the second.
“You cannot hide from us,” announced the third.
When the Fire Protectors saw an ordinary coyote making its way through the trees, they relaxed. “It
is only a gray coyote,” said the first Fire Protector, greatly relieved. Coyote ignored the Fire Protectors, and
they paid no more attention to him.
Coyote watched the Fire Protectors for three days and three nights to learn how he might get past
the guard they kept around the clock. He noticed that the fire was unguarded for a very few moments in the
morning as the Fire Protector who sat next to the fire entered the tepee to awaken the Protector who was to
take her place.
Coyote had a plan, but he needed the help of the other animals, so he crept down the mountain and
gathered some of his friends together. He explained the pain and misery that human beings were suffering,
and he told them of the Fire Protectors who would never share their gift with humans.The other animals
spoke among themselves and soon agreed to help Coyote.
Coyote returned to the top of the mountain, and once more the Fire Protectors reacted angrily when
they heard his approach. “Who goes there? Show yourself, thief,” one shouted. But, as before, they relaxed
when they recognized the coyote.
Coyote slept the entire day, and awoke as the sun set. He watched as two of the Protectors entered
the tepee to sleep while the third settled down to watch the fire. As dawn approached, the Protector next to
the fire rose to call her sister to replace her. She entered the tepee, and for a very brief moment no one sat
to guard the fire.“Wake up!”Coyote heard her call.“It is your turn to watch the fire.” Coyote’s moment had
come!
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
chron.com/cie
®
1
Autumn Reading with Fun Activities
How Coyote Gave Fire to the People
A Native American Story
Coyote raced to the fire, grasped a portion of the flame between his teeth, and began his escape
down the mountainside.
The Fire Protectors screamed frantically, but they wasted no time in the confusion and began to
chase Coyote within moments. Despite his speed, the Protectors overcame Coyote just as he reached the
foot of the mountain.The Fire Protector closest to Coyote reached out to grab his tail. Her touch turned the
tip of his tail white, and you can see that the tips of coyotes’ tails are white today. Coyote realized that he
would soon be within the grasp of the Fire Protectors. He saw his friend Squirrel standing nearby, ready to
help him, and he tossed the flame to Squirrel,who began to run as quickly as he could. The Fire Protectors
shifted their pursuit, and now chased Squirrel. One of the Fire Protectors reached Squirrel and laid her
hand on his back. The pain caused Squirrel to curl his tail up and back, and you can see that the tails of
squirrels are curled today. Squirrel did not let the pain stop him from passing the flame to Chipmunk,who
stood ready to continue the escape. As Chipmunk raced along, one of the Fire Protectors veered off to pursue him. As he sped along, she reached out with one of her claws and scratched Chipmunk’s back, leaving
three stripes that you can see on chipmunks today.
Chipmunk knew that he could not outlast the Fire Protectors. He glanced around and decided to
throw the flame to Wood,who lay on the ground, ready to help.
Wood swallowed the flame, and the Fire Protectors were helpless. They could not get back the flame
which had been stolen from them. They tried flattery, threats, and bribery, but Wood would not give up the
flame which he had swallowed. At last, the Fire Protectors left, admitting that they had been defeated.
After they were gone, Coyote brought Wood to the people and showed them how to get the flame
out of Wood by rubbing two sticks together. From that time on, man was warm and comfortable through
the winter months.
Story Activities
1. Native Americans are known for their respect for all of nature. How does this folk tale show that respect?
How does this folk tale show the cooperation between man and his surroundings that is necessary for the
environment?
2. Look through the Houston Chronicle for an article about a project that shows that someone respects his/
her environment. Write a summary of the article. Do you think the Native Americans of many years ago
would approve of this project? Explain your answer.
3. Folk tales are often used to explain what people observe in the world around them. This folk tale tells
how man first got fire, but it also explains some of the characteristics of animals that the Native
Americans noticed. What explanations of the way animals look are included in this story? Look through
the Houston Chronicle for pictures of animals with unusual characteristics. If you were writing a folk tale,
how might you explain the way each animal looks?
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
chron.com/cie
®
2
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Adaptado por Marie Swist
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