When the fire burns low and the night grows still, some stories remind us not to look too closely at the dark. In this chilling Navajo tale, a lone herder begins to sense he’s not alone in the canyon—and learns why curiosity can be dangerous under the moonlight.
 

In this playful yet wise tale, Coyote meets his match in a small but mighty trickster—Skunk. What begins as mischief quickly turns into a lesson in humility, friendship, and balance. Told with humor and heart, this story reminds us that even the clever can be outsmarted when pride gets in the way.
Sit by the fire and laugh along as Coyote learns that sometimes, the smallest creatures teach the biggest lessons.

In this first episode of By the Fire: Navajo Stories with Native Knitter, we begin with one of the most well-known tales of Coyote, the trickster. When the People shiver in the cold and the Fire Beings guard all the fire for themselves, Coyote decides to take matters into his own paws. Mischievous, reckless, and brave, he races across the land with a burning stick, sparks flying, until fire is finally given to the People.

This story reminds us that even the most unpredictable among us can carry gifts of light and warmth.

Gather close, settle by the fire, and enjoy this tale of courage, mischief, and generosity.