Tales of the Cochiti Indians

[1] Coyote had many children, and they were thirsty. She said to them, "Poor children, wait a little. I will hurry and get water for you." She ran off. When she got, to the river, she drank a lot and took water in her mouth for her children.

She saw somebody in the road. He called out,

                    There goes the Coyote;

                    Got a ball on her toe.

Coyote screamed and opened her mouth, and all the water was spilled. She went back to the river for more water, and took it in her mouth. She ran back. Again she saw somebody in the road. He called out,

                    There goes the Coyote;

                    Got a ball on her toe.

Coyote screamed and opened her mouth and all the water was spilled. "What shall I do?" she cried," My poor children are dying of thirst. How shall I fix it so I won't spill the water?" She went back to the river and took more water. She drank lots. Her stomach was round with water. She ran back. She burst. So her children didn't get water after all.

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. 241.