The Singing Scoutmaster: Coyote and the Painted Skunks

One sunny afternoon, Coyote, the clever trickster, wandered aimlessly through the forest, his mind buzzing with boredom. He had no one to fool and no tricks to play, which left him feeling restless and irritable. As he trotted along, his sharp ears picked up the sound of voices—high-pitched and full of anger. Curious, Coyote followed the sound until he came upon a small clearing where two skunks were standing nose to nose, their fur bristling with indignation.

What caught Coyote's attention immediately was the strange appearance of the skunks. They were not the usual black and white creatures he knew. Instead, one skunk had bright yellow stripes running down its back, while the other was covered in splashes of vibrant blue spots. The skunks were arguing fiercely, each one trying to outdo the other in their boasts.

"I'm the most beautiful skunk in the whole forest!" the yellow-striped skunk declared, lifting his tail proudly. "Everyone admires my bright, sunny colors. Look how they shine in the light!"

"Nonsense!" the blue-spotted skunk retorted, shaking her head defiantly. "It's my beautiful blue spots that make me the most admired skunk around. They sparkle like the clear sky on a summer day!"

Coyote watched the quarrel unfold, a sly smile spreading across his face. This was the perfect opportunity to have some fun. He stepped out of the bushes and sauntered over, his tail swishing lazily behind him. "What's all this fuss about?" he asked with a sneer. "You both look ridiculous! No one wants to look at a skunk that's painted like a flower or a rainbow."

The skunks stopped their arguing and turned to glare at Coyote. "What do you mean?" they asked suspiciously. "Everyone tells us we look beautiful!"

Coyote chuckled, shaking his head. "Beautiful? Hardly. If you want to look truly magnificent, you should be painted black and white, like me!" He puffed out his chest, showing off his sleek, dark fur and white markings. "It's classic, it's bold, and it's sure to make you the most admired creatures in the entire forest."

The skunks exchanged doubtful glances. "We've always been painted in these bright colors," the blue-spotted skunk said slowly. "Why should we change?"

"Because," Coyote said with a convincing smile, "everyone is tired of bright colors. If you really want to stand out and be the envy of all the other animals, you need a look that's striking and elegant. Black and white is the way to go!"

The skunks hesitated, still unsure. But Coyote's words were smooth and persuasive, and soon they found themselves nodding. "Maybe he's right," the yellow-striped skunk murmured thoughtfully. "It wouldn't hurt to try something different."

"Exactly!" Coyote exclaimed, his grin widening. "Follow me, and I'll show you how to get the perfect black and white look." He led the skunks through the forest until they reached a muddy pool, its waters dark and murky. "This mud will give you the rich, black color you need," Coyote said, gesturing grandly at the pool. "And once you're covered in mud, I'll find something white to paint the stripes. You'll be transformed!"

The skunks peered at the muddy water uncertainly, but Coyote's enthusiasm was infectious. Slowly, they waded into the pool, grimacing as the thick mud clung to their fur. "It's so sticky," the blue-spotted skunk complained, wrinkling her nose. "Are you sure this will work?"

"Oh, absolutely," Coyote said, nodding vigorously. "Just a little more, and you'll be perfect!" He watched, barely able to contain his laughter as the skunks slogged around in the mud, their bright colors disappearing under the muck. The skunks, meanwhile, began to feel heavier and heavier, the mud weighing down their legs and tails.

But as they struggled in the pool, something clicked in the skunks' minds. They looked at each other, their eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Wait a minute," the yellow-striped skunk said slowly. "Are you sure you're not playing a trick on us, Coyote?"

Before Coyote could answer, the blue-spotted skunk sniffed the air, her nose twitching. "I think we've been fooled!" she growled, her eyes flashing with anger. Realizing they had been duped, the skunks clambered out of the muddy pool, dripping and furious. "You tricked us!" they shouted, their tails rising high in warning.

Coyote took a step back, his smile faltering. "Now, now, let's not get upset," he stammered, but it was too late. The skunks turned their backs on him, their tails aimed squarely at his face. With a sudden burst of motion, they sprayed Coyote with their terrible-smelling musk, the odor so strong it made his eyes water and his fur stand on end.

Coyote yelped and stumbled backward, gagging and coughing. The stench was unbearable! "Ew! Gross!" he cried, his paws flailing as he tried to wave the smell away. The skunks watched with satisfaction as Coyote scrambled and slipped in the mud, his fur coated in the foul-smelling spray.

"That's what you get for trying to trick us!" the skunks shouted. Then, ignoring Coyote's pitiful attempts to clean himself off, they strutted over to the nearby river and washed away the mud. As they scrubbed, their fur returned to its natural black and white pattern—a beautiful contrast that made them look bold and proud.

The skunks emerged from the river looking more striking than ever. They shook themselves dry and strutted through the forest, their heads held high. "Now *this* is beautiful," the yellow-striped skunk said, admiring his sleek black and white coat. "We look even better than before!"

"I agree," the blue-spotted skunk added with a smile. "No more silly colors for us. Black and white is definitely the way to go."

As for Coyote, he hid in the bushes for days, too ashamed and stinking to show his face. Every time he tried to wash off the smell, it seemed to cling to his fur even more. He sneezed and grumbled, his pride wounded. "Never again will I mess with skunks," he swore, his voice muffled by the paw he held over his nose. "I'll stick to fooling creatures that don't stink so much!"

And so, Coyote learned a hard lesson about underestimating others and paid a smelly price for his mischief. The skunks, now back to their natural black and white colors, became the envy of the forest. Whenever they passed by, all the other animals admired their bold patterns and whispered, "Look at those skunks—so elegant and beautiful!"

The tale of how the skunks got their black and white fur and outsmarted Coyote spread through the Southwestern tribes, becoming a favorite story to tell around the campfire. It served as a reminder to everyone that sometimes, even the cleverest tricksters get a taste of their own medicine.