The Singing Scoutmaster: Coyote and the Bear Brothers

One lazy afternoon, Coyote, the sly and mischievous trickster, wandered through the woods with a grumbling stomach. He hadn't eaten all day, and the thought of catching his own meal seemed far too tedious. "Why should I waste my time and energy hunting when I can get someone else to do it for me?" Coyote thought, his eyes glinting with cunning. He flicked his tail and set off in search of someone he could fool into providing him with a free meal.

As Coyote trotted along the forest path, his nose twitched at a familiar scent. Fish! Freshly caught and still glistening. He quickened his pace, his mouth watering as he followed the scent to a nearby stream. There, standing knee-deep in the water, were two bear brothers, busy fishing. They had already caught a large pile of fish, which lay heaped on the bank. The sight of the silver-scaled fish shimmering in the sunlight made Coyote's stomach rumble even louder.

"Hello, brothers!" Coyote called out cheerfully, putting on his most friendly smile. The bear brothers looked up from their fishing, surprised to see the trickster standing on the bank. "It looks like you've had a very successful day of fishing. What a bountiful catch!" Coyote's voice was smooth and sweet, but his mind was already working on a plan.

The older bear brother grunted. "We've been at it since dawn," he said proudly, his broad shoulders gleaming with water droplets. "It's hard work, but we're good at what we do."

"Yes, very impressive," Coyote agreed, nodding enthusiastically. "But tell me, how do you know which one of you is the best fisherman?" The bears exchanged puzzled glances. "What do you mean?" the younger bear asked.

Coyote's smile widened. "I mean, wouldn't you like to know which one of you is truly the most skilled? How about a little contest to find out?" The bear brothers were intrigued. They were always looking for ways to prove their strength and skill, especially to each other. "What kind of contest?" they asked, their curiosity piqued.

Coyote pointed to a thick log that lay across the stream, forming a natural bridge over the water. "We'll see who can balance on that log the longest while fishing," Coyote explained. "Whoever stays on the log the longest and catches the most fish gets to keep the entire catch!" He gestured dramatically at the pile of fish the bears had already caught, his eyes gleaming with mischief. The bears, eager to show off their talents, agreed at once.

The older bear climbed onto the log first, his massive paws gripping the slippery wood as he cast his line into the water. He swayed back and forth, trying to maintain his balance, but the log wobbled dangerously. The bear struggled for a moment before losing his footing and tumbling into the stream with a loud splash. Water sprayed everywhere, and the younger bear burst into laughter.

"Move over! Let me show you how it's done," the younger bear said confidently, clambering up onto the log. He crouched low, his eyes focused intently on the water below. But as he reached out to catch a fish, his paw slipped, and he, too, fell into the stream with a yelp. The brothers splashed around, trying to scramble back onto the bank, their fur dripping and their dignity bruised.

"It's my turn now!" Coyote said with a grin, his tail wagging behind him. He hopped lightly onto the log, balancing perfectly as if he had been born to it. But instead of casting a line or trying to catch fish, Coyote stretched out comfortably on the log, crossed his paws, and began munching on the fish the bears had already caught.

The bear brothers, still dripping and shivering on the bank, stared at Coyote in disbelief. "What are you doing?" the older bear growled, his eyes narrowing. "You're supposed to fish while balancing on the log!"

Coyote looked up, his mouth full of fish, and gave a cheeky grin. "Oh, but I *am* fishing," he said, licking his lips. "You see, I'm balancing the fish in my belly. It's all about balance, right?" He patted his belly contentedly and continued eating, completely ignoring the bears' angry glares.

The bear brothers finally realized they had been tricked. They roared with fury, their massive paws slapping the ground in frustration. "You cheated!" they shouted, but Coyote only laughed. With a nimble leap, he sprang off the log and dashed away, a few more fish clutched in his mouth.

As he ran, he called back over his shoulder, "Remember, brothers, never trust a hungry Coyote!" His laughter echoed through the trees as he disappeared into the underbrush, leaving the bears fuming by the stream.

From that day on, the bear brothers were more cautious around Coyote and his smooth words. They shared the story of how they had been outsmarted by the trickster, warning others not to fall for his schemes. But despite their anger, the brothers couldn't help but laugh whenever they told the tale, for they knew that Coyote's cleverness was simply part of his nature.

And as for Coyote, he went on to find other unsuspecting creatures to outwit, but he always remembered that day fondly. He had not only filled his belly but had also taught the bear brothers a lesson about boasting and pride. For Coyote, it was just another successful day of trickery and fun, and the story of his contest with the bear brothers became one more legend to add to his long list of clever exploits.