American Indian Trickster Tales (Myths and Legends) by Richard Erdoes

just leaving for a party—my aunt is giving a big feast tonight for all her relatives.”
    “A big feast,” thought Coyote. “There will be many rabbits. And many rabbits are better than just one measly rabbit!” It was exactly what Rabbit Boy wanted him to think. “You can come along, uncle,” he told Coyote, “and share in the feast, provided you let me ride on your back. My aunt’s home is quite a way off, my legs are short, and I tire easily. Also, by myself, I could not get there in time.”
    “Why, sure, hop on my back, little brother,” said Coyote, smiling to himself at the thought of a large pot of succulent rabbit stew.

    “Uncle, I am a very poor rider,” said Rabbit Boy. “I cannot do without a saddle.”
    “Why, sure, of course not, little brother,” said Coyote. “I live nearby. I’ll get a saddle for you, and not only a saddle, I will also get a bridle to make things easier for you.”
    “That will be fine, uncle. Make it a strong bridle.”
    Coyote ran off as fast as he could to get these things. During the short time when Coyote was away on this errand, Rabbit Boy plucked two long, sharp thorns from a thornbush, hiding them in his fur. Soon Coyote was back, crying: “Here I come, little brother, saddled and bridled.”
    “You will make a fine horse for me, uncle,” Rabbit Boy told him.
    “Please face the other way, so that I can mount you from behind.” Coyote turned around and, quick as lightning, Rabbit Boy fastened the two large thorns to his heels, intending to use them as spurs. Then he hopped onto Coyote’s back.
    “Off you go, uncle,” he cried. “Get a move on! Run!” And he jabbed his spurs into Coyote’s flanks. “Faster, faster!”
    Coyote howled with pain: “Ow, ow, ow,! Little brother, have pity on me!” Coyote arched his back, bucked, twisted, and tried to shake off his rider, but Rabbit Boy stuck to him like a burr. Thus they arrived at the home of Rabbit Boy’s aunt. In a flash, Rabbit Boy jumped off Coyote’s back and, at the same time, tied the bridle to a pinon tree. He did this in the twinkling of an eye, in one blurred motion.
    All of Rabbit Boy’s relatives were there. Already they were feasting. Tied to the tree, Coyote had to watch the rabbits stuffing themselves with good food, having a good time, eating, drinking, and telling stories. The feast lasted a long time. When it was over at last, Rabbit Boy went over to Coyote, accompanied by a cousin, another rabbit, of course.
    “As soon as I’m on this ugly fellow’s back,” Rabbit Boy told his cousin, “untie him and throw the bridle to me!” His cousin did as he was told. At the moment Coyote was untied, Rabbit Boy dug in his spurs. Again and again he struck at Coyote’s sides.
    “Off with you, back to my home, faster, faster, you lousy Coyote!”
    Again Coyote howled with pain: “Ow, ow, ow!” he was helpless. He was thinking: “I won’t stop at this evil rabbit’s place. I’ll rush right by it, back to my den. There my wife will help me get this pest off my back. Then he won’t be able to escape us. My wife and I will catch that no-good rabbit. I’ll skin him alive. I’ll put him in my pot. I’ll make soup of him!”
    It did not work out this way. As soon as they were passing his home, Rabbit Boy jumped off Coyote’s back and, quick as lightning, dashed into his hole, shutting the door behind him. In vain Coyote tried to get in. In vain he pounded at the door, scratched, and dug. He could not get in. He heard Rabbit Boy laughing at him from behind his door, calling him names. At last Coyote gave up.
    When Coyote got home, his wife asked him: “What’s the matter with you, husband? You are in a cold sweat. You are foaming at the mouth. Your sides have blood all over.”
    “Old woman, mind your own business,” said Coyote.

A SATISFYING MEAL
    { Hopi }

    Coyote and Fox are not very fond of each other, because they are always competing for the same kind of food. So whenever he has