Legends

One of the recurring themes in this novel is that of legends about Old Man Coyote. Coyote needs these stories to be retold in order to remain a living god, according to Sam's conversation with Anubis. After Coyote dies, Sam puts on many faces as he tells the stories about Coyote. In "Coyote Makes the World", there is water everywhere, but with the help of four ducks, Old Man Coyote makes land and the Absarokee, or Crow, Indians to tell stories about him. He creates buffalo for his men to eat and horses to help them catch the buffalo. Old Man Coyote builds a sweat lodge and steams with the ducks. He cooks and eats the irritating ducks and decides to give sweat to the Absarokee as their church and sacrament. In "Coyote Gets His Powers", the Great Spirit decides to rename the animal people. Coyote wants to...