Traditions of the Arikara

Two Coyotes were going along, and as they became hungry one of them said: “Let us go where the people have left their village. We will find some pounded corn.” As they came to the village they separated, one going through many lodges, while the other went another way. The leader came to a lodge, and there he saw pounded corn, in lumps, running into the mortar. The Coyote ran into the lodge and begged the lumps of pounded corn to come out, saying that he was an old man who sang for people in their sacred ceremonies. The Coyote walked around the fireplace and began to sing. The lumps of pounded corn came out and danced. The lumps began to dance with the Coyote. “Close your eyes,” said the Coyote. The lumps had danced so hard that they had raised a dust, and the Coyote thought it was time to act. So he ran to the mortar, stuck his head into the bowl, and became fast. After a time the brother of the Coyote came, and said, “Wa, what are you doing?” The captive Coyote said: “I am fast, but I have lots to eat in this bowl. Take an axe and cut the bowl open.” The other Coyote took the axe and chopped the mortar open, cutting the other Coyote on the head so that he died. There was nothing in the mortar. The Coyote went away crying, for he had killed his brother.