Tales of the Cochiti Indians

[1] In the mountains Old Coyote Mother and Father were living. Old Man Coyote had a little drum and he sat above the road and beat the drum and sang,

                    Look out! Look out!

                    Coyote is going to hit you

                    On the back, on the back.

Lots of prairie dogs came running. They cried, "Dear me, grandfather. How beautifully you sing! Sing it again and we'll dance to it." Coyote began to beat his drum again and the prairie dogs made a circle and stood out to dance. Coyote sang again,

Look out! Look out!

Coyote is going to hit you

On the back, on the back.

They stepped in time to the song. "Grandfather, sing it again. It is such fun to dance to your song." They danced and danced.

Grandmother Coyote called, "Come on, grandfather. Let me sing a while for them." The prairie dogs said to Grandfather Coyote, "You sing so nice, sing again." "No, your grandmother is in a hurry." "We know she is calling you, but please sing some more. You sing such a beautiful song. Sing it again and we can learn that song."[9]

For discussion about the informants look at the preface to the book – Book No. 58

(http://btjerusalem.com/yashpeh/mb_bookp.php?mishtane=58).

[1] Informant 1. Notes, p. 239.

[9] "Every baby so high knows that story." It Is said that the story never tells that Coyote killed the prairie dogs.