Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins | Ep. 321

Have you ever known someone who liked to brag? Boast? Show off?

In today’s story, we’ll encounter two bragging, boasting show-offs… and the sly fox who decides to teach them a lesson!

Our story is called “Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins.” Versions of this tale have been told in Mexico, Central Asia and Siberia, and among indigenous peoples from the Southern Plains of the modern-day United States.

Voices in this episode include Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore, and Chris Sullivan: co-stars on the NBC hit “This Is Us” and co-hosts of the rewatch podcast, “That Was Us.”

Sterling K. Brown stars in the hit political/sci-fi drama, “Paradise,” available on Hulu and Disney+. He’s lent his tremendous talents to many, many films and TV shows including “Black Panther,” "American Crime Story,” "Washington Black," and "American Fiction,” for which he received an Oscar nomination.

Mandy Moore stars in the new comedy film, “The Breadwinner.” Since 2010, she’s played Rapunzel in countless Disney movies, TV shows, and video games, including “Tangled,” “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” and “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure."

Chris Sullivan’s many film and TV credits include “Mercy,” "Presence,”
and “The Knick.” You kids may know him as Taserface from “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” You longtime Circle Round fans will remember him as the title character in our episode, “Chief Know-It-All.” Chris also writes and plays music under the name Joseph The Spouse.

This episode was adapted for Circle Round by Rebecca Sheir. It was edited by Dean Russell. Original music and sound design is by Eric Shimelonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn.

GROWN-UPS! PRINT THIS so everyone can color while listening. We’re also keeping an album so please share your picture on Facebook and Instagram, and tag it with #CircleRoundPodcast. To access all the coloring pages for past episodes click HERE. Our resident artist is Sabina Hahn and you can learn more about her HERE.

Now It’s Your Turn

We all have special skills and strengths. You can celebrate your own by making a Strengths Chain! Here’s how:

Grown-ups: snap a photo of your Circle Round fan and their Strengths Chain and email it to circleround@wbur.org. With your permission, we may feature your photo in your monthly Circle Round newsletter, The Lion’s Roar. If you’re not yet on our email list, sign up here!

Musical Spotlight: Pedal Steel Guitar

A descendant of the Hawaiian lap steel guitar (an instrument you can hear in our episode, “Something Fishy”), the pedal steel looks like a guitar built into a table. It has one or two necks, with sets of ten or twelve strings. Composer Eric Shimelonis compares playing the pedal steel to knitting a sweater while flying a helicopter – at the exact same time!

Why? Because playing the pedal steel involves your hands, legs, and feet! One hand uses a finger pick to activate the strings, while the other moves a heavy steel bar over the strings, thereby changing their lengths (and notes). Some pedal steel guitars also have up to nine foot pedals and eight knee levers, which allow you to bend the notes with your feet and legs. These bends are part of the instrument’s dreamy and twangy sound, which you can also hear in our episode, “Coyote’s Wild Ride.”

Script:

NARRATOR (host Rebecca Sheir): Long, long ago… the fastest and speediest animals around… were the Coyote Twins.

COYOTE 1: (GASP!) Is she talking about us?

COYOTE 2: What other twins would she be talking about? Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum?

COYOTE 1: Who???

COYOTE 2: Search ME! It’s in the script! I’m just reading my lines!

NARRATOR: Okay, so the Coyote Twins weren’t quite the sharpest thorns on the prickly-pear.

COYOTE 1: Mmmm…! Prickly pear…!

COYOTE 2: Soooo juuuuicy…!

NARRATOR: But they were fleet of foot. Which made them rather big of head.

In other words: they were cocky!

​​COYOTE 1: All the other animals totally wish they were US!!!!

COYOTE 2: Yeah they do!

COYOTE 1:  ‘Cause we are amazing!!!

COYOTE 2: Yeah we are!

COYOTE 1: We can run super-duper-fast!

COYOTE 2: Yeah we can!

COYOTE 1: We’ve never met ANYONE more TALENTED!

COYOTE 2: Yeah we have! (beat) I mean – NO we haven’t! … I mean… You know what I mean. (beat) …You know?

NARRATOR: As you can imagine, the other animals were growing weary of the Coyote Twins’ boasting. Especially the petite, bushy-tailed, pointy-eared canine known as Swift Fox.

SWIFT FOX: That would be me!

NARRATOR: “Swift Fox” isn’t just a description. It’s an official, scientific name.

SWIFT FOX: And it comes from the fact that I’m – well – swift! I’m only as big as a house cat. But I can run nearly as fast as the Coyote Twins! Which is helpful if I want to catch a meal – or avoid BECOMING one!

NARRATOR: That is true. But I would argue that the “swift” in “Swift Fox” refers to something ELSE as well! Wouldn’t you say?

SWIFT FOX: Oh please don’t make me brag! Unlike those cocky Coyote Twins, I don’t need to toot my own horn!

NARRATOR: Then I’ll toot it for you!

You see, Swift Fox had a swift mind: he was clever, nimble and sharp. And after years of putting up with the Coyote Twins, he decided he’d use that swift mind to teach the boastful bullies a lesson.

Early one morning, while the Coyote Twins were snoozing beneath some pine trees, Swift Fox came prancing over.

SWIFT FOX: Good day, twins!

NARRATOR: The Coyote Twins peeked open an eye and scowled.

COYOTE 1: Uch! For crying out loud, Swift Fox! Can’t you see we’re getting our beauty rest?

COYOTE 2: Not that we really NEED any!

COYOTE 1: Why don’t you go bother someone else?

COYOTE 2: Yeah! Get out of here!

NARRATOR: Swift Fox gave a shrug.

SWIFT FOX: Look, Twins. I can get out of here if you really want me to. (tempting) But if I DO… then you won’t get to eat… the prairie chickens!

NARRATOR: At the mention of the brown-and-white-striped birds known as “prairie chickens,” the Twins sat bolt upright.

COYOTE 1: Prairie chickens!?!?

COYOTE 2: We LOVE prairie chickens!

COYOTE 1: Especially chowing down on them! They’re so plump!

COYOTE 2: And tasty!

SWIFT FOX: And that’s why I need to stick around! Any minute now, a whole mess of prairie chickens are coming to meet me.

COYOTE 1: They are?

COYOTE 2: What for?

SWIFT FOX: That’s the fun part. I played a little trick and told them I’ve fallen ill. VERY ill! Just as I hoped, one of the chickens took pity on me, and promised to make me a special medicine. I convinced her and her friends to bring me a huge supply – right here by these pine trees! Once those unsuspecting birds show up, we can have ourselves a feast!

COYOTE 1: Hang on a minute!

COYOTE 2: Whaddya mean “WE” can have ourselves a feast?

COYOTE 1: Big strong coyotes like us don’t share with puny little foxes like you!

COYOTE 2: Never ever ever!

NARRATOR: Swift Fox gave another shrug.

SWIFT FOX: I get it. I’m small and I’m puny and you don’t want me around. (beat) But don’t you two realize? You NEED me! It’s ME the prairie chickens are coming to see. If they lay eyes on two “big, strong coyotes” like you, they’re gonna buzz off! And you don't want them to buzz off, do ya…?

COYOTE 1: “Buzz off”?

COYOTE 2: Don’t prairie chickens make more of a clucking sound? You know, like (makes funny clucking sounds).

COYOTE 1: No! It’s more of a WHOOP! (makes funny whooping sounds)

COYOTE 2: Or is it a cackle? (makes funny cackling sounds, before SWIFT FOX interrupts)

SWIFT FOX: (interrupting COYOTE 2 to explain) What I MEANT is you don’t want the chickens to RUN AWAY! (beat) Right?

COYOTE 1: (realizing) Ohhhh!

COYOTE 2: (realizing) Of course we don’t!

SWIFT FOX: Soooo… how about I stay here, while you two go and hide? Somewhere close – but out of sight. Like, say, up there!

NARRATOR: Swift Fox pointed to the top of a pine tree.

The Coyote Twins traded a glance, then lunged toward the  tree and began to climb.

COYOTE 1: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

COYOTE 2: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

NARRATOR: Now, coyotes may be talented runners… but when it comes to climbing…?

COYOTE 1: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

COYOTE 2: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

NARRATOR: …they’re pretty awkward. And the thing about pine trees is, they’re tough to climb! FOR ANYONE! Their branches are brittle and sparse. Their needles are poky and sharp. Their gluey, gummy sap gets everywhere.

So as the twins scrambled up the tree, branches snapped beneath their feet.

COYOTE 1: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

COYOTE 2: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

NARRATOR: Needles stabbed at their faces.

COYOTE 1: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

COYOTE 2: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

NARRATOR: Sap saturated their fur.

COYOTE 1: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

COYOTE 2: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

NARRATOR: But at last…with pounding hearts, heaving chests, and sticky, bedraggled bodies… they reached the top.

They gave each other a weary high five, then glanced at the ground. What they expected to see were a bunch of delicious prairie chickens bustling over for their appointment with Swift Fox. But instead…?

SWIFT FOX: [SOT: from down below tree] Toodle-oo, Twins!

NARRATOR: …all they saw was Swift Fox… sprinting away on his swift little legs…

SWIFT FOX: (ad-lib laughter as he runs)

NARRATOR: … and laughing!

SWIFT FOX: (ad-lib laughter as he runs)

NARRATOR: The Coyote Twins were flummoxed. Downright discombobulated! But then…

COYOTE 1: / COYOTE 2: (a-ha moment) Ohhhhhh!!!!!

NARRATOR: …it dawned on them.

COYOTE 1: Swift Fox played a trick on us!

COYOTE 2: Wait a minute! He tricked us AND the prairie chickens?

COYOTE 1: There ARE no prairie chickens, you dolt! He tricked us into climbing up this tree! So we would look like fools!

COYOTE 2: We can’t let him get away with this!

COYOTE 1: I say we find him… and EAT him!

COYOTE 2: Yeah! (beat) (sheepish) Of course, we have to get down first…

NARRATOR: Now, if you think it’s tough for a coyote to climb UP a pine tree… you should see them trying to climb down.

COYOTE 1: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

COYOTE 2: (ad-lib awkward efforting sounds)

NARRATOR: But, after much scrapping and scrabbling, the twins reached the ground. Using their keen ears and noses, they followed Swift Fox’s trail.

They found him at the bottom of a cliff. He was standing with his back to the steep stone wall, pushing against it with legs braced and teeth clenched.

SWIFT FOX: (ad-lib efforting sounds)

COYOTE 1: (menacing) Uhhh, you’re not going to escape by pushing against that cliff, Swift Fox!

COYOTE 2: (menacing) Yeah! You’re not gonna escape from us at all!

COYOTE 1: (menacing) Cuz now that we’re here, we’re gonna EAT you!

COYOTE 2: (menacing) Unless you make like a TREE… and BARK!

COYOTE 1: Wait! Isn’t it “make like a tree and LEAVE”?

COYOTE 2: Ohhh! Right.

NARRATOR: Swift Fox locked eyes with the Twins. But he didn't run. Instead, he kept pushing.

SWIFT FOX: (efforting) Oh boy! Thank goodness you big, strong coyotes are here! You have to help me hold it up! (beat) (dramatic) Or we’re all DOOMED!

NARRATOR: What is Swift Fox talking about? What do YOU think he needs help “holding up”?

We’ll find out what it is… after a quick break.

[BREAK]

NARRATOR: I’m Rebecca Sheir and welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called “Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins.”

Before the break, Swift Fox played a trick on the Coyote Twins, by duping them into climbing a pine tree, then running away.

The Coyote Twins were determined to get revenge – and to make the cunning canine their next meal! When they raced after him, they found him at the bottom of a cliff, pressing his back against the rock.

SWIFT FOX: (as he pushes) Come on, you two! I can’t hold it up by myself! If anyone can do the job, it’s two big, strong coyotes like you!

NARRATOR: The cocky coyotes were disarmed by Swift Fox’s flattery… and stumped by his statement.

COYOTE 1: Uh, what are you talking about, Swift Fox?

COYOTE 2: What do you need us “big strong coyotes" to help you hold up?

SWIFT FOX: (efforting) Don’t you see? It’s the CLIFF! It started to FALL the moment I got here! And now I’m holding it up!

NARRATOR: The Coyote Twins shared a look. Then they doubled over…

COYOTE 1: / COYOTE 2: (ad-lib laughter)

NARRATOR: …with laughter!

COYOTE 1: (laughing) You really expect us to fall for another trick, Swift Fox?

COYOTE 2: (laughing) There’s no way that cliff can fall!

COYOTE 1: (laughing) But there IS a way YOU can fall…

COYOTE 2: …into our BELLIES!

NARRATOR: The Coyote Twins licked their lips. Swift Fox shook his head.

SWIFT FOX: (struggling against wall) You two don’t understand! The LAST thing you want to do is EAT me. If you do, this cliff wall will give way and crush us into pancakes!

COYOTE 1: Mmmm!

COYOTE 2: Pancakes!

SWIFT FOX: I’m being serious! When I came by just now, I saw all these little rocks tumbling over the edge! And I knew I had to prop up the cliff before it could (stops short)  – YAHHHHH!

NARRATOR: Swift Fox gave a cry, as if the pushing was becoming too much. The moment he did, a cascade of loose pebbles came dropping down the cliff face.

[SOT: pebbles tumbling]

SWIFT FOX: See what I mean? The cliff is falling down!

NARRATOR: The Coyote Twins looked up in alarm.

COYOTE 1: Uhhh, I’m beginning to think Swift Fox is on the level!

COYOTE 2: “On the level”? I thought he was against the wall!

COYOTE 1: “On the level” means “telling the truth,” you nitwit! Holding nothing back!

COYOTE 2: But I thought he was holding the CLIFF back!

COYOTE 1: (GROAN!)

NARRATOR: Suddenly, another smattering of pebbles tumbled over the edge of the cliff!

And do you know why?

Spoiler alert: it ISN’T because the cliff was falling down. It was because a family of rabbits had built their burrow at the top of the cliff. Whenever they heard a loud noise – be it a Swift Fox CRY or a Coyote GROAN – the petrified bunnies ran for cover, scrambling into their burrow and sending a shower of pebbles over the edge!

Swift Fox knew all about the rabbits. But the Coyote Twins did not. The terrified creatures sprang to Swift Fox’s side, facing the cliff with their teeth gritted and their shoulders shoving against the rock face.

COYOTE 1: / COYOTE 2: (ad-lib pushing against cliff wall)

NARRATOR: Swift Fox lowered his head to conceal his grin.

SWIFT FOX: (as he pretends to push) Push harder, you two! Push with all your might!

NARRATOR: And they did! The Coyote Twins strained…

COYOTE 1: / COYOTE 2: (ad-lib straining against cliff wall)

NARRATOR: The Coyote Twins heaved…

COYOTE 1: / COYOTE 2: (ad-lib heaving against cliff wall)

NARRATOR: … and as they did, they began to tire.

COYOTE 1: (pushing, getting tired) What are we going to do?

COYOTE 2: (pushing, getting tired) We coyotes are big and strong, but we can’t hold up this cliff forever!

SWIFT FOX: (pushing) You have a point there. So I’ll tell you what. Given how “big and strong” you are, how about you two keep pushing while I go get help? If I round up enough animals, maybe we can drag over a log or rock or something else to prop the cliff up! (beat) (cleverly taunting) That is, unless you’re afraid to take all the weight yourselves…

NARRATOR: The Coyote Twins rolled their eyes.

COYOTE 1: (as they strain) Afraid to take all the weight?

COYOTE 2: (as they strain) We big, strong coyotes aren’t afraid of ANYTHING!

SWIFT FOX: That's what I figured! So you two keep pushing and I’ll be right back!

NARRATOR: Slowly, Swift Fox stepped away from the wall. Then he flashed the Twins a smile and scurried off  – as fast as his swift legs could carry him!

The clueless coyotes kept pushing.

COYOTE 1: / COYOTE 2: (ad-lib pushing against cliff wall)

NARRATOR: They pushed all day, and by sundown, their muscles ached… their heads throbbed… their throats were parched and dry. But Swift Fox had not yet returned!

COYOTE 1: (pushing) Where is that silly fox?

COYOTE 2: (pushing) Beats me! But I sure am exhausted!

COYOTE 1: (pushing) TELL me about it!

COYOTE 2: (pushing. misunderstanding) Well… My body is quivering like jelly, my tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth, and my eyes are bulging so far out of my head that – (gets interrupted by COYOTE 1)

COYOTE 1: That’s not what I meant!

COYOTE 2: Oh.

COYOTE 1: Listen, twin. We can’t keep pushing like this. I say we jump away from the wall and head for the hills!

COYOTE 2: (pushing/tired) Head for the hills??? But what if the HILLS are falling down too?

COYOTE 1: (GROAN) I mean, let’s shake a leg!

COYOTE 2: (pushing/tired) My legs already ARE shaking!

COYOTE 1: (pushing/tired)  I mean, LET’S GET OUT OF HERE!

COYOTE 2: (pushing/tired) Ohhh! Why didn't you say so?

NARRATOR: The Coyote Twins closed their eyes… breathed in deep… then took a flying leap away from the wall.

COYOTE 1: / COYOTE 2: (ad-lib leaping backwards)

NARRATOR: The moment their fleet feet hit the ground, they headed for the hills.

But after a little while, they realized something.

All they heard around them were the natural sounds of nature. No rumble of falling rock, no roar of tumbling stone. And when they slowed their pace and glanced behind them, their eyes went wide!

COYOTE 1: (GASP!) The cliff didn’t fall!

COYOTE 2: It looks just like it did before!

COYOTE 1: Does this mean…

COYOTE 2: (eagerly finishing COYOTE 1’s sentence) … that we did such a great job holding it up that it stayed glued in place?

COYOTE 1: No, you goose!

COYOTE 2: “Goose”???? I’m a coyote!

COYOTE 1: Ugh. What I was about to ask is, “Does this mean the cliff was never in danger of falling in the first place”! 

COYOTE 2: (realizing) Ohhhh! (now angry) OHHHHH!

NARRATOR: The Coyote Twins couldn’t contain their rage. They snapped their jaws.

COYOTE 1: / COYOTE 2: (ad-lib snapping their jaws)

NARRATOR: They growled...

COYOTE 1: / COYOTE 2: (ad-lib growling)

NARRATOR: …and howled!

COYOTE 1: / COYOTE 2: (ad-lib howling)

NARRATOR: Because in that moment, they realized: they had been tricked again. And despite their fabulously fleet feet, they would never ever be swift enough to out-fox Fox.