Native Coyote Bungling Host

tale:native_coyote_bungling_host

Coyote is fed by hosts who each draw food by some marvel — Bear from his own paws, Kingfisher diving through ice, Deer from his nose. Proud, Coyote invites them back and tries to copy each feat himself, only to burn, bruise, and gash himself with nothing to show. Moral: aping another's gift without his nature brings only injury. — Native American (Coyote tale)