H36GG — The coyote betrays man.

The coyote is to blame for the fact that humans are mortal.

Berezkin category: Paradise Lost

This is of motif type Cosmology and etiology and is part of group 4, Origin of death, diseases and hard life.

H36.  A character is sent to deliver instructions or certain items. The messenger distorts the message, brings the wrong items, loses what he is carrying, delays (and is overtaken by another messenger). This has important consequences for him and for the future lives of the people.
H36a.  The character distorts the message conveyed to him, deliberately lies, brings the wrong thing, loses what he is carrying, delays (and is overtaken by another messenger). As a result, people become mortal (they do not revive after death).
H36aa.  The messenger must tell people what they should do if they want to avoid death, but he distorts the instructions and people become mortal. In Mesoamerican variants, it is not about people in general, but about a specific character.
H36b.  The chameleon is to blame for the fact that man is mortal or that he must labour; he loses the trust placed in him by the deity. See motif H36.
H36c.  The lizard is to blame for the fact that man is mortal. See motif H36.
H36d.  The hare distorts God's command and/or is responsible for the fact that humans are mortal. See motif H36.
H36e.  The rat is to blame for the fact that man is mortal.
H36f.  The raven is sent to deliver an important item or message. He distorts the message or loses what has been entrusted to him.
H36ff.  The raven (crow) or other large bird of prey tries to kill people and/or is responsible for the fact that humans (tigres: domestic animals) are mortal or susceptible to disease.
H36g.  God sends a messenger to the people to tell them to eat infrequently (once a day, once every three days, etc.). The messenger says that one should eat often – at least two or three times a day.
H36g1.  When a bull (ox, cow) is ordered to convey certain instructions to people, he confuses them or deliberately distorts them.
H36g2.  When a character, who later became a dung beetle, was ordered to convey certain instructions to people, he distorted them.
H36gg.  The coyote is to blame for the fact that humans are mortal.
H36h.  Creatures, including a frog or toad, must cross an obstacle. This does not go as planned and results in humans becoming mortal.
H36hh.  The frog or toad is to blame for the fact that humans are mortal.
H36i.  The goat or sheep is to blame for the fact that man is mortal. See motif H36.
H36j.  The lark is to blame for the fact that man is mortal.
h36k.  Trees try to prevent humans from appearing on earth, fearing that they will cut them down.

This motif has been recorded in 36 traditions: Basques, Kiowa Apache, Comanche, Western Sahaptin (Upper Cowlitz, Klikitat, Tenino, Umatilla, Yakima, Wallawalla), Nez Perce, Kalapuya, Takelma, Oregon Athabaskans: Lower Umpqua, Tututni (incl Joshua), Upper Coquille, Galice, Tolowa, Shasta; Chimariko, Pomo, Wintu, Patwin, Nomlaki, Maidu, Nisenan, Konkov, Sierra Miwok, Lake Miwok, Plains Miwok, Coastal Miwok, Achomavi, Yana, Yokuts, Owens Valley Paiute, Northern Paiute (=Paviotso), Northern Shoshone, Western Shoshone, Gosiute, Eastern Shoshone, Upland Yuma: Walapai, Havasupai, Yavapai, Ute, Southern Paiute, Cahuilla, Cupeño, Navajo, Chiricahua, Western Apache (White Mountain, San Carlos), Hopi, Diegueño: Ipai, Tipai, Kamia (Kumeai), Yuma proper (Quechan), Mohave, Maricopa, Seri, Pima, Northeastern Yakuts (Sakha): Yana, Indigirka and Kolyma Basins