Reading Notes: The Fable of the Animals, Part A

This week I focused on the Southwestern and California Legends unit. My favorite story was titled The Fable of the Animals from Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest by Katharine Berry Judson (1912). I enjoyed this story because it has a reasoning behind why the coyote is the most cunning animal.

I like the idea of giving reasoning to why the coyote is the way that he is. I would like to change the way that they decide what animal gets the most power. Instead of man simply giving the the bows to animals, I think they should compete for the power. Basically, the animals would all compete in a challenge course that tests agility, strength, endurance, etc. Man will make the course as it will be a surprise to the animals. But coyote will stay up all night spying on the course instead of resting. He thinks that he will have the advantage over other animals because he knows what the course will include. However, he will be extremely tired, and by the time the course is ready, he will be fast asleep.

At the end, he will be rewarded with the lowest amount of power. While the other animals competed for power, he missed out because he was sleeping. Man will feel sorry for him, and award him with cunning, ten times more than he had before. And that is why the coyote is the most cunning of all the other animals.

Basically, the only aspect I'd like to change is part of the plot. The story still gives reasoning for the coyote, but I think the way that it is achieved needs to be more elaborate.

Cunning Coyote

Source: Pixabay