He went to the forest beside Great River and searched for one whole day.
Then he took to the chief's lodge the most beautiful flower he had found.
He asked to see the chief.
"I have looked all day for this flower for your daughter," said Coyote
to the chief. "If this does not touch her heart, what will? What gift can
I bring that will win her heart?"
The chief was the wisest of all the chiefs of a great tribe. He answered,
"Why don't you ask my daughter? Ask her, today, what gift will make
her heart the happiest of all hearts."
As the two finished talking, they saw the girl come out of the forest.
Again Coyote was pleased and excited by her beauty and her youth. He stepped
up to her and asked, "Oh, beautiful one, what does your heart want most
of all? I will get for you anything that you name. This flower that I found
for you in a hidden spot in the woods is my pledge."
Surprised, or seeming to be surprised, the girl looked at the young hunter
and at the rare white flower he was offering her. "I want a pool," she
answered shyly. "A pool where I may bathe every day hidden from all eyes
that might see."
Then, without accepting the flower that Coyote had searched for so many
hours, she ran away. As before, she hurried to play with her young friends.
Coyote turned to her father. "It is well. In seven suns I will come for
you and your daughter. I will take you to the pool she asked for. The pool
will be for her alone." |