Nez Perce Stories from the Elders


Coyote and the Moon 

Nez Perce

Moon had a son who used to sit on the point of a hill and watch the up-river trail that passed near their camp. The son used to kill people and take the bodies home to his father, who cooked and ate them; but the private parts he ate first, and without cooking. This happened for many years, and Coyote learned of it. And Coyote came towards that place; and, behold! there was that one far off on the hill, watching for people. And Coyote kept out of sight, and made himself a hat of grass. Whenever the Moon-Youth5 turned his head, Coyote would creep closer, and then lie flat on his belly and be very still. In that manner he went very close to him; and right by his side he took off the hat and spoke to Moon-Youth, saying, "Halloo, nephew! this is the wrong place for you to sit and watch;" and the Moon-Youth jumped with fright, thinking, "I wonder whence he came towards me!" And Coyote said, "Your father and mine used to keep watch over there, where that little pile of stones is, whenever it was cold. Many they killed, and nobody ever took them unawares." And, sure enough, the pile of stones was there, and they built a fire. Then Moon-Youth did not know what to think. And again Coyote spoke: "We are thirsty, but yonder is a spring of very good water; let us get a drink!" They went there, and, sure enough, Moon-Youth found the spring. Coyote said, "Now, drink!" but Moon-Youth had his club in his hand: so Coyote said, "Let me hold it for you!" and he gave the club to Coyote, and leaned over to drink from the spring. Then Coyote struck Moon-Youth with the club and killed him. He exchanged clothes with that one, and carried the body up to the house. The old Moon heard the falling load, and cried out, "Son, bring him in!" And then Moon took out his knife and cut off the private parts and ate them. And he noticed a difference; and he said, "This meat is almost too strong," but he cooked the rest of the body, and offered some of the flesh to Coyote, who pretended to be ill, and ate nothing.

Then it came evening, and they lay down to sleep. Coyote collected his belongings, and stole away from the old man. He traveled till it was nearly morning, and then said to himself, "It is getting daylight; I will go to sleep, or else I shall be too sleepy for the day." Then Moon arose from his bed, and saw him sleeping there just by the doorway of the house. "How is this?" he said to him, "you must have had a nightmare during the night." And it surprised Coyote. "I thought I had traveled a great distance," he said to himself.

And again it was growing dark, and again Coyote set out, and assured himself that he had indeed traveled a long way; but he was only just outside the doorway of the house. And again Moon arose, and found him sleeping right there, but did not recognize him as Coyote rather than his son. Thus it was for three times; and then Coyote decided to kill Moon, for fear the latter would soon see the difference. So Coyote killed him, and said, "After this you will kill no longer, but will give light for travel at night-time; and now and then men of importance will know Coyote's moon."   And thus it happened

Bibliography:

Nez Perce Tales, By Herbert J. Spinden, 1907
From Blue Panther Keeper of Stories.


Tales of the Nez Perce by Donald M. Hines,
Ye Galleon Press; Fairfield, Washington, 1999
[gathered from other source books dated between 1912 and 1949]

Scanned from original book by Wolf Walker and originally posted to the site: Wolfs Retreat.

Mike Blair Wildlife Photography

Icon Image Wild Life Tubes PSP Photoshop 

Icon Image Winters and Old's Native American

Some images compiled by Sandra Hartle using sources above. 




This article compiled by Wolf Walker  using above resources. All copyrights to materials used are retained by those who provided the material, originating source indicated that images were public domain and made available by those who owned them for  educational purposes, which is the intent of the pages provided on this site.

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