One of the most constant symbols of North American Indian mythology is coyote, a figure that has not only persisted but successfully crossed cultural barriers. Coyote survives both as an animal and a myth in literature and art. Why have coyote stories lasted so long? Although they are entertaining, one of the purposes of the legends is to point up a moral. Coyote serves as a model of what to do and what not to do. In many of the stories his anti-social behavior results in misfortune. And some of the stories provide a relief from serious and tense concerns. Listeners or readers are also able...