WOO - How Coyote dug a ditch for the salmon

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Current News : One Thread

When I first saw where the falls in the Spokane River are, many years ago, there were some houses started in town. The Coyote dog caught a lot of salmon there at the falls because the salmon couldn't get over them. The Indians used to camp at Peaceful Valley and catch salmon at the falls, too. They would dry the fish after spearing or hooking them. Coyote went up to Coeur d'Alene, for the Spokane River runs from Coeur d' Alene Lake. He found a nice looking woman and said he wanted to marry her. She said, "I think I will marry you." Coyote said, "If you do, I will go and dig around the falls so the salmon can come up the river to Coeur d' Alene. Her folks were glad the salmon would be coming up the river. Coyote came back and dug and dug around the falls so the salmon could come up the river. (I saw where he dug around them.)

Coyote decided to go back again and ask if the maiden would really marry him. So he went. She told him, "No, I don't want you. " So Coyote went back and he quit digging. And that's how he left it there.

And no salmon can come up the river.

(Spokane)

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2001


Moderation questions? read the FAQ