from the Dine Bahane (Navaho)

After Coyote had conjured up the rain
so he could stand there
at the entrance to her hogan
while her brothers were away
bedraggled pitiful
to plead for refuge
over by the wall
then after a while
down by the foot
of the bed
and then beneath
a corner of the blanket
he was so cold!
then inching ever closer
till by morning
they were husband and wife

They had to flee
her brothers had no use for such
an evil smelling inlaw
so it was time now
for these two newlyweds
to work out for themselves
the rules of marriage

You get four chances
Coyote informed her
(note the sacred number)
to destroy me
then it will be my turn
and so four times
she burned his body
ground his bones
till they were dust
and scattered the dust
far across the desert
on the night wind

Each time she waited
hoping beyond hope
he'd make it back
and each time he did
he was Coyote!
now it was his turn
and he returned the favor
ground her bones
sent the dust flying
and like her
was happy when she found her way
back to him
in this way was marriage instituted
by Coyote and his wife
in those first days