Reading Notes: How Bluebird and Coyote Got Their Colors #2

How Bluebird and Coyote Got Their Colors

This story takes place long ago, and starts with how the bluebird was an ugly color. But Bluebird knew of a lake nearby, and would go bathe their four times a morning, four mornings in a row. He would sing a magic song every time that went: There's blue water, it lies there, so I went in and now I am all blue.

On the fourth morning, Bluebird shed his feathers. When he came out of the lake, it was just his skin - but the next morning when he came out of the lake, his feathers had grown back... all blue. 

Coyote had watched the Bluebird do this every morning, and every morning he wanted to eat him but he was afraid of the water. On the final morning, Coyote asked him how he had lost all of his ugly color. He was now blue, and beautiful. And Coyote wanted to be blue too - he was green at the time. 

So Bluebird taught Coyote the magic song, and after he went in four times, the fifth time he came out as blue as Bluebird. He wanted everyone to see him because he was so proud, but it left him wondering if his shadow would be blue as well. While he was distracted looking at his shadow, he ran into a tree stump so hard that it left him rolling in the dirt, with dust all over. And that is why coyotes are the color of dirt today. 

I like this story because it tells a tale of why something is the way it is, which I've realized are my favorite. I also think I could twist it a little to go with my zoo theme! 

Bluebird. Link here

Bibliography: How Bluebird and Coyote Got Their Colors in Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest by Katharine Berry Judson (1912).