Traditions of the Arikara

by George A. Dorsey

55. THE COYOTE AND THE DANCING CORN.

Two hungry Coyotes go to village in search of pounded corn. They separate and leader sees pounded corn, in lumps, running into mortar. Coyote begs lumps to come out. He sings and walks around fireplace. Lumps of pounded corn come out and dance with Coyote. He tells them to close their eyes. He runs to mortar and gets his head fast in bowl. Brother comes and captive tells him to cut bowl open with axe. He does so, but cuts Coyote on head so that he dies.