# The Coyote and the Locust explained — Zuni Folktales

> Chapter companion for Zuni Folktales by Frank Hamilton Cushing.

## What happens

An old Coyote, enchanted by a Locust's song, repeatedly learns and forgets the tune due to interruptions. After several failed attempts, the Locust tricks the Coyote by leaving a stone-filled skin in his place. When the Coyote angrily bites the decoy, he shatters his teeth, explaining why coyotes have broken teeth and why locusts sometimes shed their skins.

## Themes in this chapter

### Folklore vs. Science

The story serves as a folkloric explanation for why coyotes have broken teeth and why locusts shed their skins.

### Transformation and Identity

The Locust sheds his skin and creates a counterfeit, transforming his appearance to deceive the Coyote.

### Sacrifice and Consequence

The Coyote's inability to control his anger leads to the permanent consequence of broken teeth, inherited by all coyotes.

## Character check-ins

### Coyote

The old Coyote who tries to learn the Locust's song but forgets it twice, then angrily bites the Locust's decoy and breaks his teeth.

### Locust

The old Locust who sings a song, teaches it to the Coyote, and later tricks him by leaving a stone-filled skin.

### The Gopher

The old Gopher whose hole causes the Coyote to fall and forget the song the first time.

## Key lines

> In the days of the ancients the Coyote minded not his own business and restrained not his anger. So he bit a Locust that was only the skin of one with a stone inside. And all his descendants have inherited his broken teeth.

Long ago, the Coyote failed to mind his own business and couldn't control his anger. He bit a Locust that was just a skin filled with a stone, and ever since, all coyotes have had broken teeth.

_This explains the origin of coyotes' broken teeth as a consequence of the Coyote's actions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/the-coyote-and-the-locust
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuni_folktales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters