Coyote Waiting / Coyote Calling
Hi there :-)
On this page you actually have a choice, you can either a) settle for the very short explanation or b) read the very long explanation if you don't find the very short one sufficient.The short version :
This was inspired partly by the poem you can read below. The story is made up of two large parts called Coyote Waiting and Coyote Calling. Each of those two parts are made up of smaller parts told in turn by one of the seven. It's crucial that you read all the parts in the order prescribed since they are all integrated. It's an Old West story. I've kept the names of Pony and Peso from the show-horses since I liked them. There are some supernatural and mythical elements in this story. PG rating. Most importantly ; NONE of the seven dies but some of the original characters may die. Comments welcome I am forever indebted to my wonderful betas for their help, Linda, Michelle and Judy.Had enough? Okay then here's where you can hop to the prologue
More info? Okay then here's the slightly longer version
The long version :
This is a story that is divided in two major parts and each of those are divided into a myriad of smaller parts. Why? Well, it started out as just one small story told by Vin and then I thought it would be fun to bring in the rest of the seven as well and complicate things and now Vin won't get to tell his section of the story until the second part although he's very much present in the first part as well.The first part is called Coyote Waiting and is told by all (except for Vin) in turn and you really need to read all the sections in the correct order since they are all pieces of a puzzle and follow on each other. Well, you don't have much choice really if you decide to start following it right now since I'll only post one part a week but it's better to read it this way, I promise.
Warnings? Some bad language, but no worse than you've heard on the show, some violence but not extremely graphic although intense at times, the rating is PG 13. I emphasize most strongly that this is NOT a death fic in the meaning that one of the seven dies. Nope, I won't give more than that away. I promise, none of the seven dies in this, no matter how it may look. There is supernatural and mythical content in this story and it's set in the old west, some small references to events in various episodes are made but no big spoilers, if you don't know the episode in question it'll probably pass you by, that's how vague it is. If you're not at all familiar with the show this is probably not the best story to start with.
This story was inspired by the poem you see below that I first came in contact with in at least two other M7 ATF stories that were posted in 1999 ( think it was), for the life of me I can't remember what the stories were or by whom but I hope to find that out and post it some day. It was just a quote then of the first four lines of this poem and when I looked it up I was surprised to find that it was so long, it is quoted below in it's entirety.
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
To me this line is the seven to a T, all individuals and yet something more as a group.
I do recount one actual myth in this story, about Coyote inventing death as told by the Wind River Shoshone tribe, but use no other historical or mythical material, this is all fiction, except for the uses of Ground Pine ( Club Moss ), which are based on things found on the web and in herbal lore books. Coyote in this story is a fictional composite figure based on my impressions from many different myths and religions from all over the world that I've read about ever since I was a child. He is a Trickster but at the same time a Cultural hero, who sets things in motion, be it good or bad, for his own ends.
I've used the names of Pony and Peso for Vin's and Chris's horses since those were the names of the actual horses that were in the show and I kind of liked them. I think Vin would have a smart and spirited horse and most likely a stubborn one as well. I realize I've been influenced in this by Comet, Brisco County Jr's horse <bg> but who really cares.
Whatever you get from this story is fine and I do hope you get something from it. I also hope that you'll tell me if you liked it. Feedback makes it all worthwhile.
Prologue | Chronicles Page | Main Page
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The Law of the Jungle
by Rudyard Kipling
(From The 2nd Jungle Book, 1895)
Now this is the Law of the Jungle - as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back -
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.Wash daily from nose-tip to tail-tip; drink deeply, but never too deep;
And remember the night is for hunting, and forget not the day is for sleep.The Jackal may follow the Tiger, but, Cub, when thy whiskers are grown,
Remember the Wolf is a Hunter - go forth and get food of thine own.Keep peace with the Lords of the Jungle - the Tiger, the Panther, and Bear.
And trouble not Hathi the Silent, and mock not the Boar in his lair.When Pack meets with Pack in the Jungle, and neither will go from the trail,
Lie down till the leaders have spoken - it may be fair words shall prevail.When ye fight with a Wolf of the Pack, ye must fight him alone and afar,
Lest others take part in the quarrel, and the Pack be diminished by war.The Lair of the Wolf is his refuge, and where he has made him his home,
Not even the Head Wolf may enter, not even the Council may come.The Lair of the Wolf is his refuge, but where he has digged it too plain,
The Council shall send him a message, and so he shall change it again.If ye kill before midnight, be silent, and wake not the woods with your bay,
Lest ye frighten the deer from the crop, and your brothers go empty away.Ye may kill for yourselves, and your mates, and your cubs as they need, and ye can;
But kill not for pleasure of killing, and seven times never kill Man!If ye plunder his Kill from a weaker, devour not all in thy pride;
Pack-Right is the right of the meanest; so leave him the head and the hide.The Kill of the Pack is the meat of the Pack. Ye must eat where it lies;
And no one may carry away of that meat to his lair, or he dies.The Kill of the Wolf is the meat of the Wolf. He may do what he will;
But, till he has given permission, the Pack may not eat of that Kill.Cub-Right is the right of the Yearling. From all of his Pack he may claim
Full-gorge when the killer has eaten; and none may refuse him the same.Lair-Right is the right of the Mother. From all of her year she may claim
One haunch of each kill for her litter, and none may deny her the same.Cave-Right is the right of the Father -- to hunt by himself for his own:
He is freed of all calls to the Pack; he is judged by the Council alone.Because of his age and his cunning, because of his gripe and his paw,
In all that the Law leaveth open, the word of your Head Wolf is Law.Now these are the Laws of the Jungle, and many and mighty are they;
But the head and the hoof of the Law and the haunch and the hump is - Obey!