The Singing Scoutmaster: Coyote and the Star People

One quiet evening, as the world below lay wrapped in shadows, Coyote stood alone in a clearing, gazing up at the night sky. The stars twinkled brightly, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the land. Coyote's eyes shone with wonder as he watched them dance across the sky, forming patterns and shapes that seemed to tell silent stories. He tilted his head and squinted, his mind filling with curiosity. "What is it like up there?" he murmured to himself, his tail flicking thoughtfully. "I bet the Star People have all kinds of magic and treasures."

The more Coyote thought about it, the more determined he became. He had to find a way to visit the stars and see for himself. With a surge of excitement, Coyote crouched low, his muscles tensing. Then, with a mighty leap, he sprang into the air, reaching for the stars. But no matter how high he jumped, he couldn't even get close. Again and again, Coyote leapt, his paws outstretched, but each time he fell back to the ground, panting and frustrated.

"How can I reach them?" Coyote growled, his brow furrowing. Just then, a soft voice interrupted his thoughts. "Need some help?" Coyote looked up and saw a sleek black Crow perched on a nearby branch, its eyes gleaming like polished stones. Crow tilted its head, watching Coyote's futile attempts with an amused expression. "I can fly you up to the stars," Crow offered, flapping its wings gently. "But you must promise not to cause any trouble."

Coyote's ears perked up, and his tail wagged eagerly. "Yes, yes! I promise," he said quickly, his eyes shining with excitement. He was too eager to think about what mischief he might get into—he just wanted to see the Star People's treasures. Crow nodded slowly, then swooped down, grabbing Coyote's fur in its strong claws. With a powerful beat of its wings, Crow lifted Coyote off the ground, carrying him higher and higher.

The wind rushed past them as they soared up into the sky, the earth below shrinking away into darkness. Stars shimmered and sparkled all around them, closer than Coyote had ever seen before. His heart raced with anticipation. Soon, Crow and Coyote reached the Star People's village, a beautiful place that hung suspended in the heavens, glowing with a soft, radiant light.

The Star People, shining beings made of starlight and dreams, welcomed Coyote with gentle smiles. "Welcome, traveler," they said, their voices like the whisper of the wind. "We don't often have visitors from the earth. Come, join us." They offered him food that glowed like moonlight, and showed him around their village, where every home and pathway shimmered with celestial light.

As Coyote wandered through the village, he marveled at the Star People's treasures. They had tools made of silver and gold, jewels that glittered like fragments of the sun, and radiant fire that burned without heat. Coyote's eyes widened as he took it all in, his mind spinning with possibilities. "Just think of all the things I could do with these," he whispered to himself. "I could be the richest and most powerful creature on earth!"

But Coyote, always unable to resist temptation, soon forgot his promise to Crow. That night, when the Star People were asleep, he crept through the village, gathering their magical tools and shimmering jewels. He stuffed everything he could find into a large sack, his heart pounding with excitement. "With all these treasures, I'll be greater than any other animal," he thought, his tail twitching with glee.

Just as Coyote was about to make his escape, a shadow swept across the ground. "What are you doing, Coyote?" a stern voice called out. Coyote looked up and saw Crow, its wings spread wide, hovering above him. "You promised not to cause any trouble!" Crow scolded, its eyes flashing with anger.

Before Coyote could reply, the Star People awoke, their light flickering like flames caught in a sudden gust of wind. They saw what Coyote had done, and their soft voices rose in a chorus of dismay. "Thief! You have stolen from us!" they cried, their glowing forms shimmering with anger. They surged forward, their hands reaching out to catch the trickster who had betrayed their trust.

Panic surged through Coyote. He turned and ran, his paws pounding against the glowing pathways of the Star People's village. He could hear them chasing after him, their voices ringing like chimes in the night. "I have to get away!" Coyote thought desperately. He leapt into the sky, the sack of stolen treasures clutched tightly in his jaws.

But the sack was heavy—far heavier than Coyote had expected. He struggled to hold onto it as he fled through the sky, the Star People close behind. In his haste, he stumbled and tripped. The sack slipped from his mouth, and the treasures spilled out, scattering across the heavens. The Star People gasped as their precious jewels, tools, and radiant fire spread out in a brilliant cascade of light.

The treasures floated and settled into place, forming a glittering pattern across the sky. Coyote watched in dismay as the stars—his ill-gotten gains—spread out above him, twinkling brightly against the darkness. The Star People slowed their pursuit, their anger giving way to sadness. "You have stolen from us, but now your theft is visible to all," they said softly. "These stars will remain in the sky forever, a reminder of your greed and broken promises."

Crow, shaking its head in disappointment, flew over to Coyote. "I warned you not to cause trouble," it said quietly. "Now look what you've done." With a heavy heart, Crow flapped its wings and flew back down to the earth, leaving Coyote alone among the stars.

Coyote, hanging his head in shame, slowly made his way back down to the ground. He landed softly on the earth and glanced up at the sky, where the scattered treasures sparkled like tiny diamonds. They were beautiful, but they no longer belonged to him. "I should have kept my promise," he muttered, his tail drooping. "Now I've lost everything."

From that day on, whenever Coyote looked up at the night sky, he remembered the visit that could have been peaceful but instead ended in disaster. The scattered stars, the remnants of his greed, served as an everlasting reminder of his mischief and betrayal. The animals of the Southwestern tribes tell this story as a lesson to never break promises and to value the trust of others.

And so, whenever the people gaze up at the stars, they remember how Coyote's greed turned a simple visit to the Star People into a tale of regret. They see the stars sparkling brightly above and know that each twinkling light is a piece of the treasures Coyote tried to steal, now forever out of his reach.