Long ago, when animals still spoke and the world was young, Coyote roamed the rivers and hills of what is now the Snake River Valley. He was clever, full of ideas, and always getting into something he shouldn’t. Now, Coyote wasn’t wicked just curious. But sometimes, curiosity is a heavy basket to carry.
One day, Coyote came upon a quiet bend in the river where round, smooth stones covered the shore. They glistened in the sunlight and hummed gently when the wind passed over them. He hadn’t noticed this place before, which was strange because Coyote noticed everything.
He trotted down the bank, sniffed at the stones, and heard them whispering in tiny voices.
Coyote Meets the pebble people
“Hello?” Coyote said, ears perked. “Who’s speaking?”
“We are,” came the soft reply, like wind through pine needles. “We are the Pebble People. We live peacefully and listen to the earth. We do not speak to many.”
Coyote grinned. “Well, I am not many, I am Coyote! And I like a good talk.”
The Pebble People were gentle and wise. They told Coyote stories of the river’s birth, of fish migrations, of stars reflected on the water. They whispered secrets that only the rocks knew—how the earth shivered when the mountains were born and how the salmon sang as they returned upstream. Coyote sat for hours, soaking in every tale.
But Coyote, being Coyote, grew restless. “Why do you only whisper?” he asked. “Your stories are too good to be so small. The world should hear you!”
“We speak softly,” said the Pebble People, “because only those who listen deserve to hear.”
Coyote scoffed. “That’s no fun. If I had your stories, I’d shout them from the cliffs!”
The Pebble People said nothing. Their silence was like deep waterfull of meaning.
Coyote has a plan
That night, Coyote hatched a plan. If he could gather the Pebble People’s voices, maybe he could scatter them along the rivers and valleys so everyone could hear their stories. Surely, that would make the world a better place. Or so he told himself.
He returned the next day with a hollowed elk horn and began to hum the Pebble People’s songs into it, capturing their words one by one. At first, they didn’t notice. But when the wind grew quiet and the river stilled, the Pebble People realized something was wrong.
“Coyote,” they said, “what are you doing?”
“I’m helping you,” he replied. “Your stories are too good to keep to yourselves. I’m taking them up into the mountains so others can hear.”
“You do not understand,” said the Pebble People. “Our voices are not meant to be stolen. They are part of this place, rooted like the cedar and the moss. Without our whispers, the land forgets.”
But Coyote had already stuffed the horn with too many voices. He ran up the cliffs, humming louder with every step. When he reached the highest ridge, he blew into the horn with all his might, releasing the stories in a wild, roaring song.
The sky shook. The river churned. The trees bent low.
But instead of echoing the Pebble People’s wisdom, the voices burst apart, scattered across the land in confusion. Some turned into rustling leaves. Others into the babble of brooks. Some voices twisted into nonsense and vanished on the wind.
Coyote stood alone, horn cracked, the Pebble People’s whispers gone.
He returned to the river bend. The stones were quiet. Still there, but silent.
Coyote lay down and wept.
From then on, if you listen closely near the riverbanks at dusk, you might hear the faintest murmur like water speaking to stone. But most of the Pebble People’s stories were lost that day.
Still, the elders say they forgive Coyote. For even in his foolishness, he taught the world a lesson:
Some wisdom is not meant to be shouted. It must be listened to, with patience and respect.
Moral of the Story
Even the cleverest intentions can bring harm when we act without truly understanding. The Pebble People taught Coyote and us that sacred things must be handled with care, and that listening is sometimes more powerful than speaking.
Knowledge Check
What is the moral of the folktale “Coyote and the Pebble People”?
The story teaches a lesson about respect and consequences, showing how even good intentions can lead to harm when we act without understanding.
What cultural group does the tale “Coyote and the Pebble People” come from?
This folktale originates from the Nez Perce tradition in the United States.
Why did Coyote take the voices of the Pebble People?
In the tale, Coyote took the voices of the Pebble People out of pride and a desire to share their wisdom, which sets the plot in motion.
How does the folktale “Coyote and the Pebble People” explain a natural feature?
The story offers a traditional explanation for why river stones are silent and why the river sometimes sounds like it’s whispering.
Is “Coyote and the Pebble People” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“Coyote and the Pebble People” is a trickster tale that reflects the values, humor, and cautionary lessons of the Nez Perce people.
How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The message of “Coyote and the Pebble People” remains relevant as it teaches timeless truths about listening, humility, and respect for nature.
Cultural Origin: Nez Perce (Native American, Pacific Northwest)
