In Arizona Apache folklore, he’s one of the most important figures in storytelling, shaping how people understand the world, human behavior, and the desert itself. The Coyote and the First DeathIn Apache culture, the raven was the initial symbol for death. The coyote sees his reflection in the pool of water and mistakes it for another coyote who wants his food. Photo by Elisa Stone on Unsplash A black and white photo of a wolfThe cartoon coyote we all grew up on may be stuck in an endless chase, but the Apache coyote is something else entirely. Through humor, chaos, and survival, he reflects the complexity of human behavior and serves as a lesson to the Apache people.