Coyote and Cloud

Thomas Doty – Storyteller

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Coyote and Cloud

Ever wonder why there are storms in the fall? According to Pit River storytellers, it was Coyote's fault.

A long time ago, Coyote and Cloud ran a race. The bets ran that if Coyote won there would be clear weather for several more months, and if Cloud won there would be storms.

Coyote was in the lead until Cloud -- with sneakiness worthy of either character -- grew ripe huckleberries all around, ripe and purple and plump.

Coyote looked back. He saw Cloud far behind, and stopped to gobble berries. Cloud whirled past Coyote and won the race. Now every fall, storm clouds blow in soon after the huckleberries are ripe.