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English 11
Coyote Stories
Active Reading
Trickster Tales are folk tales that feature a trickster – an animal or human
character who engages in deceit, violence, or magic. Often trickster tales are
mythic, explaining features of the world.
Complete the chart below to record information about the tales.
Explanations
Social Values
Cultural Details
Coyote and the
Buffalo
Fox and Coyote
and Whale
A trickster is full of contradictions. A trickster may appear in any one of three
roles: a culture hero, a clever deceiver, or a numbskull. Fill in the chart below
with examples of each role that Coyote plays in the tales.
Culture Hero
Clever Deceiver
Numbskull
Directions: Read and answer the following questions about Coyote and the
Buffalo and Fox and Coyote and Whale. Make sure to answer each
question and to use complete sentences. Don’t forget to support your
opinions!
1. Choose one of the trickster tales and explain what you think the story is
trying to teach or explain. Make sure to use examples from the story.
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2. What do these Coyote stories have in common with other folk tales you
know?
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