In the days of the ancients Owl was a terror to the animal people. He was enormous in size, with great staring eyes. Every time he felt hungry, he flew down to the roadside. When an animal came along, he would jump out in front of it suddenly and demand in a loud screech: "Who are you? Who? Who?" The animal would be so frightened that it could not answer.
Then Owl would hoot: "You do not know who you are. Who? Who? I 'll eat you up." And he would swallow the trembling creature. He ate so many that every family was in mourning.
The animals went to Coyote and prayed: "O Coyote, help us. This dreadful Owl is eating our brothers, our wives, and our children. Every home is filled with sobs. Oh, help us, Coyote."
"I 'll see what I can do," answered Coyote.
He thought and thought. Then he brushed up his clothes and made himself look nice and young. He took his stone knife and sauntered down the road.
Suddenly Owl jumped out from the brush and demanded in his loud screech: "Who are you? Who? Who?"
Coyote looked surprised. He bowed politely and said, "Why, where did you come from?"
Then Owl looked surprised. He blinked his eyes and did not say a word.
