Coyote had lost patience with the other animals. They all made fun of the way he twittered and yelped when he was nervous, and how he walked off of cliff edges rather than admit he had taken a wrong turn. Since he had the best interests of all the other animals at heart, he felt that their actions were a betrayal. He went to old Wolf, who was lying in his cave nursing his sick heart. Old Wolf was wiser than Coyote even though Coyote never had really trusted him, but now he wanted some advice. Old Wolf said "don't worry Coyote. The Great Spirit will tell you what to do. I will seat you in the cave, extinguish the torches which light it, and leave. Sit patiently, and the Great Spirit may come to you!" This was done and Coyote sat for a while in the dark. He soon grew frightened because he could hear strange noises in the cave, and he thought that demons might be stalking him. He had always worn the cloak and headdress of a warrior to appear brave, but in fact he was quite cowardly in his heart.

Soon a low voice swelled up in the cave. "Coyote! Little Brother!" the Voice rumbled. "Be not afraid, but from now on do what old Wolf commands, for he shall be me in disguise. Fear, who is invisible but even now sits beside you, shall be your ally. Fear and old Wolf will help subdue all the animals.The more Fear works upon them, the more your howling and yelping will seem appropriate. Soon those who love you most will begin to yelp and howl just like you, and every time you walk off a cliff, you will have lots of company."

Coyote was happy. Full of his new purpose, he trotted out of the cave.