Coyote Spills the Stars
Native American Folktale
In the beginning days when all came up from the underworld a huge gathering was planned, uniting all the four-leggeds and flyers. At this meeting Our Mother selected a human
being to take a jar of stars, hang them in the sky and name them for all to
enjoy.
Coyote was very interested in what was going on, but being a wiggler and trickster then as he is no, Our Mother turned to him and said "Do not make mischief
here!"
The human being was busy, placing the stars in ordered patterns upon the sky...Seven Stars here and the three Pot Rest Stars there. When he had placed the beautiful Morning Star he stood back and admired his work, as did all the rest.
While everyone including Our Mother was gathered to gaze at the luminous Morning Star,
Coyote tiptoed over to the jar of stars to see for himself what the man was doing. As he lifted the jar's lid just a little, the stars rose to the occasion, pushed the lid away and raced for the sky. This is the reason so many twinkle without order or pattern, and why so many are not
named.
Our Mother was angry with Coyote, and said that because of his mischief with the stars Coyote would forever be a wanderer and bring trouble with him wherever he may go. That some days he could be happy and abundant, but other days he would see unhappiness and
hunger.
After reading the story, explain what lesson an elder might have been teaching a child. Why were stories so important to the Native American Culture? Be
thinking of an important lesson a child might need to learn, how would you teach
it with the use of a story?