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Show A Coyote Howled Ruth Myers Shadows danced unheeded and tossed dare after dare to penetrate their corners and share secrets that perhpas some Indian had told. A full moon made them retreat until they stood on the opposite side of the bushes mov¬ing imperceptibly. From one of the deepest shadows on the hill before me a coyote's howl swooped down the sl¬ope, leaping over brush and rocks, soaring over bush and tree, and circling leaves and shadows. It came to an easy halt on the opposite hill; it bounded back to min¬gle with the darkness. That howl stood out in the darkness as a plea for sympathy, for an understanding of its message, It seem¬ed to say: "I am a coyote, an enemy of man, I am lon¬ely and afraid of civilization; through my howl I make you lonely and afraid of the wilderness, But do not fear me, I am just a coyote. I won't harm you. I was made to be a slinking, sneaking animal whose guide is the moon and whose fear is man. I pity you. Perhaps you pity me, but you needn't. I am Nature's child de¬pendent on her, not man's child dependent on man. I haven't the satisfaction of knowing that I will be fed when I am hungry. Instead I stand on crusted snow be¬neath a screaming pine and cry in hunger while cattle or sheep graze elow and man stands beside his gun war¬ned and waiting, I haven't the satisfaction of being th¬anked for each kind deed I do. I take it for granted that those cowboys were lulled to sleep by my song, and that their cares were carried away with each yap and wail I uttered. I take it for granted that the Ind¬ians were cheered when I spoke because I said to them, 'Food! Food! Food!' I do not care if I deceived them and was called unfathful. I have the satisfaction of knowing I was heard and heeded. "My forefathers have seen this place as a swamp filled with mammals and reptiles, a swamp where moss hung from towering trees to lurk amongst the mire and make paths ones of danger. They have seen the swamp drained. They have felt the heaving and falling of these mountains. They know the history of that creek where you fish. They know each tree and plant in this draw, "You are young and inexperienced, so do not sit there besides your fire and search for me, You can¬not see me now, I am afraid of you: you are afraid of me. Just remember I am a coyote, an enemy of man. Re¬member that I pity you," |