Zuni Folktales · Chapter
The Coyote and the Locust explained
An old Coyote, enchanted by a Locust's song, repeatedly learns and forgets the tune due to interruptions.
What happens
An old Coyote, enchanted by a Locust's song, repeatedly learns and forgets the tune due to interruptions. After several failed attempts, the Locust tricks the Coyote by leaving a stone-filled skin in his place. When the Coyote angrily bites the decoy, he shatters his teeth, explaining why coyotes have broken teeth and why locusts sometimes shed their skins.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the children’s joyful play turns to horror as the elder siste…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Folklore vs. Science
The story serves as a folkloric explanation for why coyotes have broken teeth and why locusts shed their skins.
- Transformation and Identity
The Locust sheds his skin and creates a counterfeit, transforming his appearance to deceive the Coyote.
- Sacrifice and Consequence
The Coyote's inability to control his anger leads to the permanent consequence of broken teeth, inherited by all coyotes.
Characters to notice
- Coyote
The old Coyote who tries to learn the Locust's song but forgets it twice, then angrily bites the Locust's decoy and breaks his teeth.
- Locust
The old Locust who sings a song, teaches it to the Coyote, and later tricks him by leaving a stone-filled skin.
- The Gopher
The old Gopher whose hole causes the Coyote to fall and forget the song the first time.
Key passages
“In the days of the ancients the Coyote minded not his own business and restrained not his anger. So he bit a Locust that was only the skin of one with a stone inside. And all his descendants have inherited his broken teeth.”
Long ago, the Coyote failed to mind his own business and couldn't control his anger. He bit a Locust that was just a skin filled with a stone, and ever since, all coyotes have had broken teeth.
This explains the origin of coyotes' broken teeth as a consequence of the Coyote's actions.
