What Is the Story of Brother Coyote and Brother Cricket?

The story of Brother Coyote and Brother Cricket is a folk tale from the Texas area of the United States.

The story of Brother Coyote and Brother Cricket is the story of a coyote that comes upon a cricket in a field. When he sets his paws down and destroys the cricket’s home. 

• The cricket and the coyote quickly get into an argument at which time the coyote decides that, since he is bigger and smarter than the cricket, he will eat the cricket and end the debate. 
• The cricket decides that he would like a chance to fight the coyote and asks for a duel. 

The two agree to meet the following day, after having a chance to bring all of their friends and forces together for the fight.

• When the two meet again, the coyote, who was vain and was sure that he would win in the fight between the cricket and himself, is beaten by the insect friends of the cricket.

The story teaches the lesson that it is not wise to be boastful or think too much of oneself, as someone might prove that you are wrong.

Fight Between the Coyote and the Cricket

The story of Brother Coyote and Brother Cricket contains some specific details about the skirmish between the two:

• The coyote brings all of the animals that have fangs and claws, such as foxes, wolves, and other coyotes to the fight, thinking that he has assembled the most powerful army possible, and one that will quickly eliminate the opposition that a single cricket and any of his insect friends might be able to offer against him. 
• The cricket has brought ants, wasps, hornets, and other stinging insects and biting insects to defend him, since the cricket has no natural defenses of his own.

During the fight, the coyote’s forces are quickly defeated by the insects, which come in large numbers and form a mass of stinging and biting force. The larger animals which the coyote has assembled are unable to resist the large mass of small insects.

• The smaller insects are thus able to affect more damage because of their teamwork. 

As a result, the coyote, who was sure that he would prevail and come out of the disagreement victorious, learns an important lesson about the dangers of being vain and boastful.

• The ending is happy for the cricket too, who is allowed to go on living in peace, with his problems with the coyote forever set aside because of the lesson that he has taught the larger animal.  

So, now you know the story of Brother Coyote and Brother Cricket. This folk tale has been told for a number of years and has been included in several books, as well as being a lesson taught in many elementary schools.