As it was told to me:
Coyote so in love with the stars would spend his nights gazing high above. Each night these brilliant lights would pass by dancing merrily on their way. One night while looking longingly above, Coyote spied a shooting star. Excited, Coyote noticed the star fell not very far from where he lay. Coyote sped off as fast as he could. Long out of breath, Coyote suddenly stopped. No bright light or burning rock was before him but a woman. Coyote cried out, "Oh shooting star you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Shooting Star explained that she was dancing in the sky as she always did but became injured and no longer had the strength to return home.
Coyote's heart sank to hear this so pledged his devotion and took Shooting Star back to his home. Here he waited on her hand and foot, ever diligent. This went on for many days. As time passed Coyote realized he loved Shooting Star and she loved him. When Shooting Star was sufficiently recovered Coyote asked her to stay on as his wife. Though in love with Coyote, Shooting Star was homesick and longed to return to the skies.
One night when the stars were particularly close, Shooting Star explained her need to return above. Coyote asked to join her and taking her hand they both took flight. As they rose higher Coyote's hand began to slip and as hard as he tried he could not hold on. Down he fell, smacking hard against the ground below.
Shooting Star was now too high to come back for Coyote and wept bitterly for her lost love. Coyote too cried and still cries to this day. Every night when you hear a coyote howl at night it is in memory of Shooting Star.
