*

One time when there was no food at Coyote’s Lodge he went round to Kingfisher’s.

“I’m really hungry,” said Coyote, “what is there to eat here?”

Kingfisher did not like Coyote’s way with words but he sent his son out to find willow sticks nonetheless. When he returned with them Kingfisher heated them over the fire and then twisted them up and tied them to his belt. He flew up to the top of his lodge then and dived into the river through a hole in the ice. When he came back up from the river there were fish hanging from each willow stick.

Coyote ate until his belly was bloated but remembered to save some fish for his family back at the lodge.

“You must come to mine tomorrow,” said Coyote, “we will eat well.”

Kingfisher did not really want to go but agreed to it.

The next day, when Kingfisher arrived, Coyote immediately sent his son to fetch willow sticks. Upon his return he held them over the fire and then bent them up and strapped them to his belt.

“What on earth are you doing?” asked his wife as Coyote shimmied up to the top of his lodge.

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