Long ago, before the world had fire, the nights were cold and long. The animals huddled together in caves and hollows, shivering beneath the stars. The only fire in the world burned far away, guarded high on a rocky mountain by a group of fire beings, ancient women made of smoke and flame, called the Fire Keepers. They didn’t share their fire. Not with the animals. Not with anyone.
Now, Coyote clever, wiry, full of mischief grew tired of freezing in the dark. His fur bristled with every frost, and the cold made hunting harder. He’d heard the stories of the fire up the mountain, and he made up his mind to steal it.
But Coyote knew better than to go alone. He called a council under the moonlight: “Sister Squirrel, Brother Frog, Grandmother Spider, Cousin Raven, will you help me steal fire from the Fire Keepers? Not just for me. For all the animals.”
The creatures nodded. They were cold.
Coyote and his Plan
Coyote laid out his plan. “I’ll sneak up to the fire. When the Fire Keepers chase me, I’ll pass the fire like a relay. We must be swift and brave.”
The next night, they set off. Coyote crept up the mountain path, slow as shadow. He crouched near the Fire Keepers’ lodge, his eyes reflecting the dancing flames. His heart beat wild with fear, but also with laughter. He loved a good trick.
When the Fire Keepers weren’t looking, Coyote leapt forward and grabbed a burning branch. “Yip-yip!” he howled, racing down the slope.
The Fire Keepers shrieked. “Thief! Trickster!”
The Chase
They gave chase, their bodies glowing red with fury. Coyote ran like the wind, but the fire burned hot in his mouth. His whiskers singed, his tail smoked.
He reached Sister Squirrel and tossed the fire to her. She caught it in her bushy tail and scurried up a tree, branches cracking underfoot. The fire scorched her fur, and from that day, squirrels’ tails have had that charred edge of black.
The Fire Keepers climbed the tree, flames flickering higher.
Squirrel flung the fire to Brother Frog waiting at the stream. He caught it in his wide mouth and leapt into the water. The fire hissed and steamed, but stayed lit.
The Fire Keepers howled and chased the frog, who swam like a dart through reeds and rocks.
But the fire was too much. With a last, desperate leap, Frog passed the fire to Grandmother Spider.
Now, no one paid attention to old Spider. She moved slow. Her voice cracked like dry twigs. But Spider was clever. While the Fire Keepers raged and searched the woods, she took the fire and spun a web, thin and strong, and tucked the fire inside a hollow stick.
Slowly, steadily, Grandmother Spider crept away, unseen. She carried the fire down the mountain, through brush and bramble, and brought it to the animals’ camp.
Coyote steals the Fire
There, she handed the fire to Coyote.
Coyote laughed, singed and proud. “We did it!”
The animals cheered. They danced around the fire, warm at last. They could cook food, chase away the dark, and keep the winter at bay.
And Grandmother Spider, quiet and wise, just sat by the flames, weaving her webs.
From that day, animals had fire. But Coyote’s tail never grew back the same. Squirrel’s tail bore a scorched tip. And Frog? He lost his voice for a time, and his mouth has never quite closed all the way since.
The Fire Keepers returned to their mountain, and the animals kept the fire safe, passing it down through generations.
Moral of the Story
Even the smallest and quietest among us can carry great power. It was not the strongest or fastest who saved the animals—it was Grandmother Spider, steady and thoughtful. The tale reminds us that cleverness, teamwork, and courage can warm even the coldest nights, and that true heroes don’t always roar—they sometimes crawl quietly in the dark, doing what must be done.
Knowledge Check
1. What is the moral of the folktale “How Coyote Stole Fire”?
The story teaches a lesson about cleverness and community, showing how actions driven by cooperation and intelligence can lead to lasting change for the good of all.
2. Why did Coyote steal fire?
In the tale, Coyote stole fire out of loyalty to his fellow animals, determined to help them survive the cold and darkness.
3. How does the folktale “How Coyote Stole Fire” explain natural features or animal traits?
The story offers a traditional explanation for why Squirrel has a singed tail, Frog has a wide mouth, and Coyote’s tail appears burned—traces of their adventure to bring fire to the world.
4. Is “How Coyote Stole Fire” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“How Coyote Stole Fire” is a trickster tale, reflecting Native American values, humor, and the cleverness associated with Coyote across many tribal stories.
5. How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The message of “How Coyote Stole Fire” remains relevant as it teaches timeless truths about collaboration, clever thinking, and using one’s gifts to help others—lessons that apply across generations.
Cultural Origin:
This folktale is based on traditional stories told by the Karuk and other Native American peoples of the Pacific Northwest.
