Jump to content

Page:In the Reign of Coyote.djvu/158

From Wikisource
This page has been validated.

WHY THE COYOTE IS SO CUNNING

HEN the children appeared at the smithy door the next day, Wantasson put down the irons he was handling. "It is hard work being a blacksmith," he muttered, and he drew his sleeve across his brow.

"Well, rest awhile now, Wantasson," said Juanita, with sympathy in her voice and eyes.

"Would it tire you to tell how man made Coyote more cunning?" inquired Antonio.

"No, talking of Coyote does not tire me." He lounged into a comfortable position, sighed a few times, and then began the tale.


Up to the time man was made, all the animals were equal. It is true that Coyote was the wisest of them all, and the others looked to him for advice, but they all had equal rights to live and be happy on the face of the earth.

When man was created, he was superior to them all. Then he had to decide which animals should

142