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Zuni Folktales · Character

The Beetle

A small insect character who interacts with Coyote.

minor

Also known as The Beetle, himself

First appearance: The Coyote and the Beetle

The Beetle shows up with force in The Coyote and the Beetle. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Uses clever trickery to avoid being bitten by the Coyote, pretending to hear a warning from underground.
In the storyThe Coyote and the BeetleOpen this moment free

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

In The Coyote and the Beetle: Uses clever trickery to avoid being bitten by the Coyote, pretending to hear a warning from underground. Later, in The Prairie-Dogs and Their Priest, the Burrowing-Owl: The Tip-beetle…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of The Beetle sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See The Beetle in The Coyote and the Beetle

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how The Beetle sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

TOThe OwlsCOCoyoteTOThe OwlFMFriend MouseGBGrandfather Bu…TBThe Beetle

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Owl Characters
  • Protagonist
  • Animal Helpers and Tricksters
  • Twin War Gods and Companions

+4 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • 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 reading

In the story

The Beetle appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for The Beetle unlock in the free preview.

See The Beetle in The Coyote and the Beetle