Coyote and the Quails
Pima (Arizona)
Once upon a time, long ago, Coyote was sleeping so soundly that a covey of quails came along and cut pieces of fat meat out of his flesh without arousing him. Then they went on. After they had camped for the evening, and were cooking the meat, Coyote came up the trail.
Coyote said, "Where did you get that nice, fat meat? Give me some."
Quails gave him all he wanted. Then he went farther up the trail. After he had gone a little way, Quails called to him,
"Coyote, you were eating your own flesh."
Coyote said, "What did you say?"
Quails said, "Oh, nothing. We heard something calling behind the mountains."
Soon the quails called again: "Coyote, you ate your own meat."
"What did you say?"