The Singing Scoutmaster: Coyote and the Monster

Once, long ago, when the world was still young and full of magic, a terrible monster roamed the land. This beast was unlike any other—massive and powerful, with teeth as sharp as obsidian and a belly that seemed to have no end. It moved through the land like a shadow of doom, devouring everything in its path. Animals, people, and even the plants and trees disappeared into its gaping maw, leaving the world empty and silent in its wake.

The land that had once been filled with the sounds of life—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, the laughter of children—now lay still and barren. Fear gripped the hearts of the few survivors who had managed to escape the creature's relentless hunger. But hiding and trembling in the darkness did not suit the nature of one particular creature. Coyote, the clever and daring trickster, refused to accept this fate. "This world is not meant to be empty," he said to himself, his eyes blazing with determination. "I will not let this monster devour everything. I will face it, no matter the cost."

With that resolve, Coyote set out to find the terrible beast. He followed the trail of destruction, through scorched earth and broken forests, past dried-up rivers and empty fields. Days turned into nights as Coyote traveled tirelessly, his paws never slowing, his heart set on saving the world from the monster's insatiable hunger. Finally, after many days of searching, he tracked the beast to a deep, shadowed canyon.

The monster lay curled in the depths of the canyon, its enormous body filling the space like a dark mountain. It was asleep, its great chest rising and falling with each thunderous breath. Coyote crept forward cautiously, his ears flattened against his head, his body low to the ground. He knew he had to be careful—one wrong move, and the beast would awaken.

But before Coyote could get close enough to strike, the monster's eyes snapped open. With a rumbling growl, it reared up, its maw opening wide. The stench of decay and death wafted from its mouth, nearly knocking Coyote off his feet. "Who dares come near me?" the monster roared, its voice echoing through the canyon like a clap of thunder. Before Coyote could react, the creature lunged forward and, with a single gulp, swallowed him whole.

Everything went dark. Coyote tumbled down into the creature's vast belly, his body rolling over strange, soft surfaces. He landed with a thud and looked around, his eyes adjusting to the dim, eerie light that seemed to seep through the creature's skin. To his shock, he found himself surrounded by all the animals and people the monster had devoured. They were huddled together, their eyes wide with fear and their bodies weak from hunger. The air was thick and stifling, and the walls of the beast's belly pulsed faintly, like the walls of a living cave.

"Coyote, is that you?" a small voice whispered. Coyote turned and saw Rabbit, his fur matted and his ears drooping. "Are we all going to die in here?" Rabbit asked, his voice trembling.

Coyote shook his head firmly. "No, we're not," he said, his voice filled with a calm, steady confidence. "I have a plan to get us out of here. But you must trust me and do exactly as I say."

Coyote's words filled the trapped creatures with a spark of hope. He moved swiftly through the belly of the beast, his sharp eyes searching for something—anything—that could help them escape. Finally, deep within the darkness, Coyote found what he was looking for: the creature's heart. It pulsed slowly, each beat sending a faint tremor through the walls of the belly.

With a determined gleam in his eye, Coyote grabbed a sharp stick that had been lying nearby—one of the many things swallowed by the monster—and raised it high above his head. "This ends now," he whispered, and with a mighty thrust, he drove the stick deep into the monster's heart.

The reaction was immediate. The monster roared in agony, its body convulsing violently. It thrashed and writhed, its massive form shuddering as pain tore through it like wildfire. The walls of its belly squeezed and contracted, sending the trapped creatures tumbling in all directions.

"Run!" Coyote shouted over the chaos, his voice rising above the monster's dying roars. "Everyone, get out—now!" With a surge of strength, the animals and people scrambled toward the creature's mouth. They climbed and crawled, pushing and pulling each other, desperate to escape the collapsing belly of the beast.

One by one, they burst out of the monster's mouth, spilling onto the ground outside. They blinked in the sudden light, gasping for fresh air, their hearts pounding with fear and relief. The monster gave one final, shuddering heave and collapsed, its massive form slumping lifelessly to the ground.

As the dust settled and silence returned to the canyon, Coyote climbed up onto the monster's nose, his chest heaving from the effort. He looked down at the dead creature, then turned to the animals and people who stood below, watching him with awe and gratitude. "Never again will one creature hold so much power over all others," Coyote declared, his voice ringing clear and strong. "We must always be vigilant, for the balance of life is delicate, and we must protect it together."

The animals and people cheered, their voices filling the canyon and echoing out across the land. They praised Coyote for his bravery and cleverness, for he had saved them all from a fate worse than death. From that day on, Coyote was no longer known just as a trickster, but also as a hero who had freed the world from a terrible darkness.

With the monster gone, life returned to the land. The rivers flowed once more, the grass grew green and tall, and the animals and people rebuilt their homes, filling the world with life and laughter once again. Coyote wandered through the land, watching over it with pride and satisfaction, knowing that he had helped restore the balance of nature.

And so, the story of Coyote and the Monster was told and retold among the Southwestern tribes, passed down from generation to generation. It became a symbol of hope and courage, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, one brave soul can stand against overwhelming odds and bring light back into the world.