A long, long time ago and far, far away, this did not happen. But many people said that it did. And, for our purposes, it is enough. Stories, you see, have power far beyond just saying what they say.
And the story was told of Coyote that one day he stole a certain box and in that box was the sun and the moon. Coyote was sometimes wise, but also a fool. So, Coyote being Coyote, he made a mess of things. He let loose the moon and caused leaves to fall from the trees and crops to wither. When Coyote let the sun escape, it moved so far away the people became very cold for a time.
Now, as I said, this did not really happen. But because people said it did, the people believed in that story. Because of that belief, Coyote had in his house a certain box that once held the sun and the moon.
And on this day, Coyote heard the song of the loon, a piercing, undulating cry so like his own. It woke Coyote and for many hours he could not sleep. So he decided to clean his house and, doing this, he found the box, which was square and wooden. The box was painted red, with black circles and squares, which made powerful medicine. Coyote looked at the box and remembered what it once held and thought how fine it would be if the box were filled once again.
Coyote carried the box to the home of his great friend, Iktome, the Spider Man. When Coyote arrived at his friend's house, Iktome was near the corner of the ceiling, cleaning out dead flies.
"Yo," said Coyote. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing," said Iktome. "Just hanging around. Nice box you've got there."
Coyote smiled and enjoyed his friend's envy. For, though Coyote and Iktome were great friends, even more than each other, they liked to show who was the best. Having a box of such powerful medicine, Coyote felt sure, was much better than weaving dream catchers to capture evil spirits.
"This box once held the sun and the moon," Coyote said. "I would like it to do so again."
Iktome dropped to the floor of his house and edged up to the box. He looked over the box's shiny, red surface. In much the same way Iktome crept around his own home, a sly smile made its way across his face, only to vanish when he looked up at his friend.
"That seems a small box to have held such large things. Perhaps you do not remember correctly. Only because you are my good friend, I will gladly take it to spare you from having to carry it away."
Coyote moved between his box and Iktome. Coyote did not distrust Iktome, it was just that Iktome could always be trusted to try and take what he wanted.
"Do not trouble yourself, my friend," Coyote said. "I will keep the box. I am looking only for someone to help me fill it back up."
Sidestepping a little at a time, Iktome moved to his left and peered around Coyote at the box. He spoke as he moved.
"I am a mighty jumper and I can swing far, but even I cannot jump high enough or swing far enough to reach the sun and the moon. Are you sure I cannot do you the favor of keeping this box?"
Coyote moved to his right, turned and picked up the box.
"I am sure. Can you think of anyone who might help me?"
"Well, if you are _sure_ you want to keep the box, perhaps Eagle could help. He is a strong flyer and could carry your box to the sun and moon."
"No. I don't think so," Coyote said. "Eagle likes shiny things almost as much as Raven. He would try to keep my box."
"There is always Bird Who Runs," said Iktome as he walked back to finish cleaning the ceiling. "It is said he runs the roads because he hid his flight to keep it strong. After so long, surely his flight would be strong enough to carry you to the sun and the moon."
"Bird Who Runs," Coyote said. "He lives in the
dry lands. I have not been there for many winters. Perhaps it
would be good to visit there again. Thank you for your help, Iktome,
my good friend."
You can read the rest at Song of the Siren.