Why Coyote Laughed


A Mexican twist on Aesop's "The Lion and the Mouse"

Adapted By Michelle Golden



Rabbit liked to play tricks on Coyote. Coyote was big and not very smart. He would howl at the moon and scare people away.



Rabbit was small and very smart. Rabbit didn’t mind people. 



People dropped things that Rabbit used to make his home warm and cozy, or made fruit fall from bushes as they came by. Rabbit liked to eat the fruit.



One day as Rabbit sniffed at some fruit, a box shut behind him and he got stuck. People had set up a trap for him. He tried to call for help but no one could hear.



Then Rabbit heard Coyote nearby. Rabbit was afraid Coyote would laugh at him if he asked for help, but Coyote tried to push at the box with his paws. But before Rabbit could get out, they heard the people coming back.


Coyote: Office.com clipart gallery. People hiking: Wikipedia

Coyote could see the moon, so he howled at it, and the people went away. Rabbit got out of the box and thanked Coyote.



That night, Rabbit stayed in his hole and listened to Coyote laughing at what had happened. Ever since, when Coyote remembers Rabbit stuck in the box, he starts to laugh. 


The End