IN THE WOODS THERE were some ducks cutting down trees and singing. Coyote came along. He asked them what they were doing and they said they were just cutting down trees and singing. Coyote said he’d like to try cutting down some trees too.
It was hard work. After a while Coyote said he was going to lie down in the shade of one of the trees to take a short rest. He lay down and went right to sleep.
One of the Ducks went over and cut down the tree where Coyote was sleeping. When the tree began falling Coyote heard it and jumped up. He began running for his life but the tree fell down and caught him by the tail. He tried to get out but he couldn’t and the Ducks just laughed and flew away.
Coyote pulled and pulled but he couldn’t get his tail out. Finally someone came along and took pity on him and helped him get his tail out. When he got free he went off toward his home.
On his way he met a Duck, and Coyote asked him if he was one of those who had been cutting down trees. He said he was.
“Listen,” said Coyote, “You are to go to my lodge and find my wife. You tell her to cook you up and leave your head so I can eat it when I get home.”
The Duck said he would do this and flew ahead to Coyote’s lodge. When he got there he told Coyote’s wife that Coyote had said for her to cook up their moccasins and clothes. She started doing this. Then the Duck left. He went over to a pond near some cottonwoods and sat out in the water.
When Coyote came in he asked her where she had put the Duck head. She said she didn’t know. “Did that Duck come, the one I sent to tell you to cook him?”
“Yes, he came, but he told me to cook these things, so I did.” This made Coyote angry. He went out to get some water and saw the Duck sitting there on the pond. He threw his water bucket at him. “There you are! I’m going to get you!” Coyote jumped in and began swimming around trying to get that Duck. But the Duck just flew away.