Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins

Summary

Circle Round – “Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins”

Podcast: Circle Round, WBUR
Episode Date: April 7, 2026
Host: Rebecca Sheir
Featured Voice Cast: Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore, Chris Sullivan

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Episode Overview

In this playful retelling, Circle Round presents “Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins,” a folktale found across Mexico, Central Asia, Siberia, and among many Indigenous peoples of the southern plains in the United States. The story addresses the dangers of boasting and the power of cleverness over brute strength, engaging young listeners through witty dialogue, memorable characters, and lessons about humility and resourcefulness.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Introducing the Boastful Coyote Twins and the Clever Swift Fox

• [00:01–02:24]
  • Rebecca Sheir sets the scene, describing the coyote twins as “the fastest and speediest animals around,” but also “not quite the sharpest thorns on the prickly pear.”
  • The coyote twins (voiced with humor and sibling rivalry) boast about their abilities:
    • “All the other animals totally wish they were us.” (Coyote Twin 1, [02:03])
    • Their banter is lighthearted and comedic, full of quick interjections and silly asides (“Mmm, prickly pear.”—Coyote Twin 1, [01:51]).
  • Swift Fox is introduced as smart, quick, and modest about his skills.
    • “Oh, please, don’t make me brag. Unlike those cocky coyote twins, I don’t need to toot my own horn.” (Swift Fox, [03:02])

2. The First Trick – The Pine Tree and the Prairie Chickens

• [03:32–08:02]
  • Swift Fox approaches the coyote twins with a tempting offer: help him catch prairie chickens.
  • When the twins refuse to share, Swift Fox convinces them to hide at the top of a pine tree so the chickens aren’t scared away.
  • The twins awkwardly climb, getting scratched and sticky, only for Swift Fox to dash away, leaving them stranded and embarrassed.
  • Memorable quote:
    • “Toodaloo twins.” (Swift Fox, [07:11])
  • The twins realize they’ve been tricked and vow revenge:
    • “He tricked us into climbing up this tree so we would look like fools.” (Coyote Twin 1, [07:43])

3. The Second Trick – The Falling Cliff

• [08:09–14:42]
  • After escaping the tree, the twins find Swift Fox at the base of a cliff, dramatically “holding up” the rock wall.
  • Swift Fox claims the cliff is about to collapse and begs the twins to help “hold” it.
  • With comedic skepticism, the twins are drawn in, especially after pebbles conveniently tumble down (caused by a bunny family above).
    • “You have to help me hold it up or we’re all doomed.” (Swift Fox, [11:11])
    • “I’m beginning to think Swift Fox is on the level.” (Coyote Twin 1, [12:31])
  • The twins spend all day straining against the cliff while Swift Fox promises to fetch help – and never returns.

4. The Realization and Moral

• [15:11–16:53]
  • Exhausted, the twins finally abandon their “post” and realize the cliff isn't falling.
  • As they notice nothing has changed, the truth dawns:
    • “Does this mean the cliff was never in danger of falling in the first place?” (Coyote Twin 1, [16:45])
  • The coyote twins fume, having been outsmarted twice.
    • “They realized they had been tricked again. And despite their fabulously fleet feet, they would never ever be swift enough to out Fox Fox.” (Rebecca Sheir, [16:53])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:03 | Coyote Twin 1 | “All the other animals totally wish they were us.” | | 03:02 | Swift Fox | “Oh, please, don’t make me brag. Unlike those cocky coyote twins, I don’t need to toot my own horn.” | | 07:11 | Swift Fox | “Toodaloo twins.” | | 07:43 | Coyote Twin 1 | “He tricked us into climbing up this tree so we would look like fools.” | | 11:11 | Swift Fox | “You have to help me hold it up or we’re all doomed.” | | 12:31 | Coyote Twin 1 | “I’m beginning to think Swift Fox is on the level.” | | 16:45 | Coyote Twin 1 | “Does this mean the cliff was never in danger of falling in the first place?” | | 16:53 | Rebecca Sheir | “They realized they had been tricked again. And despite their fabulously fleet feet, they would never ever be swift enough to out Fox Fox.” |

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Activity & Takeaway

• [After 16:53]
  • Rebecca Sheir encourages listeners to celebrate their own strengths by creating a “strengths chain” out of paper, writing or drawing a different strength on each loop.
  • This creative activity helps reinforce the episode’s theme of recognizing and appreciating one’s unique abilities.

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Featured Music & Art

• This week’s unique instrument is the pedal steel guitar, introduced with an engaging description.
• A coloring page for this story is available on the Circle Round website, inviting kids to continue engaging with the episode as they listen.

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Overall Themes

• The dangers of arrogance and the value of humility.
• Cleverness and intelligence can outsmart boastfulness and brute strength.
• Playful humor, wordplay, and lively performances make moral lessons accessible and fun for listeners of all ages.

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Conclusion

This episode of Circle Round is a delightful, sound-rich exploration of wit vs. ego, skillfully brought to life by a talented cast. With memorable characters, silly dialogue, and kid-friendly moral guidance, “Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins” is testament to the podcast’s skill at adapting folktales for modern listeners while encouraging both laughter and reflection.

Transcript

[Rebecca Shear]

Wbur podcasts, boston. Have you ever known someone who liked to brag, boast, show off? In today's story, we'll encounter two bragging, boasting show offs and the sly fox who decides to teach them a lesson. I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time. Today, our story is called Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins. Versions of this tale have been told in Mexico, Central Asia and Siberia, and among indigenous peoples from the southern plains of the modern day United States. Some really great people came together to bring you our story, including Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore, and Chris Sullivan, co stars on the NBC show this is Us and co hosts of the Rewatch podcast this Was Us. So circle around, everyone, for Swift Fox and the Coyote. Tw. Long, long ago, the fastest and speediest animals around were the coyote twins.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Is she talking about us?

[Coyote Twin 2]

What other twins would she be talking about? Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

[Swift Fox]

Who?

[Coyote Twin 2]

Search me. It's in the script. I'm just reading my lines.

[Rebecca Shear]

Okay, so the coyote twins weren't quite the sharpest thorns on the prickly pear.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Mmm, Prickly pear.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Oh, so tricky. Juicy.

[Rebecca Shear]

But they were fleet of foot, which made them rather big of head. In other words, they were cocky.

[Coyote Twin 1]

All the other animals totally wish they were us.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Yeah, they do.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Cause we're amazing.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Yeah, we are.

[Coyote Twin 1]

We can run super duper fast.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Yeah, we can.

[Coyote Twin 1]

We've never met anyone more talented.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Yeah, we have. I mean, no, we haven't. I mean, you know what I mean. You know.

[Rebecca Shear]

As you can imagine, the other animals were growing weary of the coyote twins boasting, especially the petite, bushy tailed, pointy eared canine known as Swift Fox.

[Swift Fox]

That would be me.

[Rebecca Shear]

Swift Fox isn't just a description. It's an official scientific name.

[Swift Fox]

And it comes from the fact that I'm, well, swift. I'm only as big as a house cat, but I can run nearly as fast as the Coyote twins, which is helpful if I want to catch a meal or avoid becoming one.

[Rebecca Shear]

That is true. But I would argue that the swift in Swift Fox refers to something else as well, wouldn't you say?

[Swift Fox]

Oh, please, don't make me brag. Unlike those cocky coyote twins, I don't need to toot my own horn.

[Rebecca Shear]

Then I'll toot it for you. Because Swift Fox has had a swift mind. He was clever, nimble and sharp. And after years of putting up with the coyote twins, he decided he'd use that swift mind to teach the boastful bullies a lesson. Early one Morning. While the coyote twins were snoozing beneath some pine trees, Swift Fox came prancing over.

[Swift Fox]

Good day, twins.

[Rebecca Shear]

The coyote twins peeked open an eye and scowled. For crying out loud, Swift Fox.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Can't you see we're getting our beauty rest?

[Coyote Twin 2]

Not that we really need any.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Why don't you go bother someone else?

[Coyote Twin 2]

Yeah, get out of here.

[Rebecca Shear]

Swift Fox gave a shrug.

[Swift Fox]

Look, twins, I can get out of here if you really want me to. But if I do, then you won't get to eat the prairie chicken.

[Rebecca Shear]

At the mention of the brown and white striped birds known as prairie chickens, the twins sat bolt upright.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Prairie chickens.

[Coyote Twin 2]

We love prairie chickens.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Especially chowing down on them.

[Rebecca Shear]

They're so plump and tasty.

[Swift Fox]

And that's why I need to stick around. Any minute now, a whole mess of prairie chickens are coming to meet me.

[Coyote Twin 1]

They are?

[Listener/Caller]

What for?

[Swift Fox]

That's the fun part. I played a little trick and told them I've fallen ill. Very ill. Just as I hoped. One of the chickens took pity on me and promised to make me a special medicine. I convinced her and her friends to bring me a huge supply right here by these pine trees. Once those unsuspecting birds show up, we can have ourselves a feast.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Hang on a minute.

[Coyote Twin 2]

What do you mean, we can have ourselves a feast?

[Coyote Twin 1]

Big, strong coyotes like us do not share with puny little foxes like you.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Never, ever, ever.

[Rebecca Shear]

Swift Fox gave another shrug.

[Swift Fox]

I get it. I'm small and I'm puny and you don't want me around. But don't you two realize you need me? It's me the prairie chickens are coming to see. If they lay eyes on two big, strong coyotes like you, they're gonna buzz off. And you don't want them to buzz off, do ya?

[Coyote Twin 1]

Buzz off?

[Coyote Twin 2]

Don't prairie chickens make more of a clucking sound? You know, like.

[Swift Fox]

No, no.

[Coyote Twin 1]

It's more of a whoop, whoop, whoop.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Or is it a cackle?

[Swift Fox]

What I meant is, you don't want the chickens to run away, right?

[Coyote Twin 2]

Oh, of course we don't.

[Swift Fox]

So how about I stay here while you two go and hide somewhere close but out of sight? Like, say, up there.

[Rebecca Shear]

Swift Fox pointed to the top of a pine tree. The coyote twins traded a glance, then lunged toward the tree and began to climb. Now, coyotes may be talented runners, but when it comes to climbing, they're pretty awkward. And the thing about pine trees is they're tough to climb for anyone. Their branches are brittle and sparse. Their needles are pokey and sharp. Their gluey gummy SAP gets everywhere. So as the twins scrambled up the tree, branches snapped beneath their feet. Needles stabbed at their faces. Saps saturated their fur. But at last, with pounding hearts, heaving chests, and sticky, bedraggled bodies, they reached the top. They gave each other a weary high five, then glanced at the ground. What they expected to see were a bunch of delicious prairie chickens bustling over for their appointment with Swift Fox.

[Swift Fox]

But instead, Toodaloo twins.

[Rebecca Shear]

All they saw was Swift Fox sprinting away on his swift little legs and laughing. The coyote twins were flummoxed. Downright discombobulated. But then it dawned on them.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Swift Fox played a trick on us.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Wait a minute. He tricked us and the prairie chickens.

[Coyote Twin 1]

There are no prairie chickens, you dolt. He tricked us into climbing up this tree so we would look like fools.

[Coyote Twin 2]

We can't let him get away with this.

[Coyote Twin 1]

I say we find him and eat him.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Yeah. Of course, we have to get down first.

[Rebecca Shear]

Now, if you think it's tough for a coyote to climb up a pine tree, you should see them trying to climb down.

[Coyote Twin 1]

You're on my tail.

[Rebecca Shear]

But after much scrapping and scrabbling, the twins reached the ground. Using their keen ears and noses, they followed Swift Fox's trail. They found him at the bottom of a cliff. He was standing with his back to the steep stone wall, pushing against it with legs braced and teeth cle.

[Coyote Twin 1]

You're not going to escape by pushing against that cliff, Swift Fox.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Yeah, you're not gonna escape from us at all.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Cause now that we're here, we are gonna eat you.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Unless you make like a tree and bark.

[Rebecca Shear]

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Isn't it make like a tree and leave?

[Coyote Twin 2]

Yeah. Right.

[Rebecca Shear]

Swift Fox locked eyes with the twins. But he didn't run. Instead, he kept pushing.

[Swift Fox]

Oh, boy. Thank goodness you big, strong coyotes are here. You have to help me hold it up or we're all doomed.

[Rebecca Shear]

What is Swift Fox talking about? What do you think he needs help holding up? We'll find out what it is after a quick break. The reviews are in and super fans like you are loving the Circle Round Club. An exciting opportunity to support public radio and get cool stuff, including ad free episodes and a personalized birthday message from me.

[Listener/Caller]

What I like about the Circle Round Club is that Rebecca Shearer sends extra messages and it supports the show and there are no ads.

[Rebecca Shear]

Grown ups support public radio and sign up [e-mail] CircleRoundClub. I'm Rebecca Shear and welcome back to Circle Round.

[Listener/Caller]

Today.

[Rebecca Shear]

Our story is called Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins. Before the break. Swift Fox played a trick on the coyote twins by duping them into climbing a pine tree, then running away. The coyote twins were determined to get revenge and to make the cunning canine their next meal. When they raced after him, they found him at the bottom of a cliff, pressing his back against the rock.

[Swift Fox]

Come on, you two. I can't hold it up by myself. If anyone can do the job, it's two big, strong coyotes like you.

[Rebecca Shear]

The cocky coyotes were disarmed by Swift Fox's flattery and stumped by his statement.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Uh, what are you talking about, Swift Fox?

[Coyote Twin 2]

What do you need us big, strong coyotes to help you hold up?

[Swift Fox]

Ugh. Don't you see? It's the cliff. It started to fall the moment I got here, and now I'm holding it up.

[Rebecca Shear]

The coyote twins shared a look. Then they doubled over with laughter.

[Coyote Twin 1]

You really expect us to fall for another trick, Swift Fox?

[Coyote Twin 2]

There's no way that cliff can fall.

[Coyote Twin 1]

But there is a way you can fall.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Yeah. Into our bellies.

[Rebecca Shear]

The coyote twins licked their lips. Swift Fox shook his head.

[Swift Fox]

You two don't understand. The last thing you want to do is eat me. If you do, this cliff wall will give way and crush us into pancakes.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Pancakes?

[Swift Fox]

I'm being serious. When I came by just now, I saw these little rocks tumbling over the edge, and I knew I had to prop up the cliff before it could.

[Rebecca Shear]

Swift Fox gave a cry as if the pushing was becoming too much. The moment he did, a cascade of loose pebbles came dropping down the cliff face.

[Swift Fox]

See what I mean? The cliff is falling down.

[Rebecca Shear]

The coyote twins looked up in alarm.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Uh, I'm beginning to think that Swift Fox is on the level.

[Coyote Twin 2]

On the level? I thought he was against the wall.

[Coyote Twin 1]

On the level means telling the truth, you nitwit. Holding nothing back.

[Coyote Twin 2]

But I thought he was holding the cliff back.

[Rebecca Shear]

Suddenly, another smattering of pebbles tumbled over the edge of the cliff. And do you know why? Spoiler alert. It isn't because the cliff was falling down. It was because a family of rabbits had built their burrow at the top of the cliff. Whenever they heard a loud noise, be it a Swift Fox cry or a coyote groan, the petrified bunnies ran for cover, scrambling into their burrow and sending a shower of pebbles over the edge. Swift Fox knew all about the rabbits, but the coyote twins did not. The terrified creatures sprang to Swift Fox's side, facing the cliff with their teeth gritted and their shoulders shoving against the rock face. Swift Fox lowered his head to conceal his grin.

[Swift Fox]

Push harder, you two. Come On. Push with all your might.

[Rebecca Shear]

And they did. The coyote twins strained. The coyote twins heaved. As they did, they began to tire.

[Coyote Twin 1]

What are we gonna do?

[Coyote Twin 2]

We coyotes are big and strong, but we can't hold up this cliff forever.

[Swift Fox]

You have a point there. So I'll tell you what. Given how big and strong you are, how about you two keep pushing while I go get help? If I round up enough animals, maybe we can drag over a log or a rock or something else to prop the cliff up. That is, unless you're afraid to take all the weight yourselves.

[Rebecca Shear]

The coyote twins rolled their eyes.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Afraid to take all the weight?

[Coyote Twin 2]

We big, strong coyotes aren't afraid of anything.

[Swift Fox]

That's what I figured. So you two keep pushing, and I'll be right back.

[Rebecca Shear]

Slowly, Swift fox stepped away from the wall. Then he flashed the twins a smile and scurried off as fast as his swift legs could carry him. The clueless coyotes kept pretty pushing. They pushed all day long, and by sundown, their muscles ached, Their heads throbbed, their throats were parched and dry. But Swift Fox had not yet returned.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Where is that silly fox?

[Coyote Twin 2]

Oh, it beats me, but I sure am exhausted.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Tell me about it.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Well, my body's quivering like jelly, my tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth, and my eyes are bulging so far out of my head that.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Ugh. That's not what I meant. Oh, listen, twin, we cannot keep pushing like this. I say we jump away from the wall and head for the hills.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Head for the hills? But what if the hills are falling, too?

[Coyote Twin 1]

I mean, let's shake a leg.

[Coyote Twin 2]

My legs already are shaking.

[Coyote Twin 1]

No, I mean, let's get out of here.

[Coyote Twin 2]

Oh, why didn't you say so?

[Rebecca Shear]

The coyote twins closed their eyes, breathed in deep, then took a flying leap away from the wall. The moment their fleet feet hit the ground, they headed for the hills. But after a little while, they realized something. All they heard around them were the natural sounds of nature. No rumbling of falling rock, no roar of tumbling stone. And when they slowed their pace and glanced behind them, their eyes went wide.

[Coyote Twin 1]

The cliff didn't fall.

[Coyote Twin 2]

It looks just like it did before.

[Coyote Twin 1]

Does this mean

[Coyote Twin 2]

that we did such a great job holding it up that it stayed glued in place?

[Coyote Twin 1]

No, you goose.

[Coyote Twin 2]

I'm a coyote.

[Coyote Twin 1]

What I was about to ask is, does this mean the cliff was never in danger of falling in the first place?

[Rebecca Shear]

Oh, go. The coyote twins couldn't contain their rage. They snapped their jaws. They growled and howled. Because in that moment, they realized they had been tricked again. And despite their fabulously fleet feet. They would never ever be swift enough to out Fox Fox. Now it's your turn. We all have special skills and strengths. You can celebrate your own by making a strengths chain. First cut a piece of paper into strips. On each strip write or draw one of your strengths. Your strength can be general like I am persistent or I show kindness or it can be specific like I can name a dozen dinosaurs or I could clean my room in no time flat using tape or a glue stick. Link your strips together by making loops and forming a chain. Ask a grown up to help you hang your strength chain somewhere you can see it. Then add more links as you develop new strengths. This week's episode, Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shyamalonis, whose featured instrument this week is the pedal steel guitar. You can learn more about this very cool guitar built into a table and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website WBUR.org Circleround Circle Round's artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all of our Circle Round stories and you can customize color them in while you listen. Grown ups Download our coloring [e-mail] CircleRound Special thanks to this week's actors Chris Sullivan, Mandy Moore and Sterling K. Brown. Chris Sullivan's many film and TV credits include Mercy Presence and the Nick. You kids may know him as Taser Face from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Chris also writes and plays music under the name Joseph the Spouse. Mandy Moore stars in the new comedy film the breadwinner. Since 2010, she's played Rapunzel in countless Disney movies, TV shows and video games including Ralph Breaks, the Internet and Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure. Sterling K. Brown stars in the hit political sci fi drama paradise, available on Hulu and Disney. He's lent his tremendous talents to many, many films and tv, including Black Panther, American Crime Story, Washington Black and American Fiction, for which he received an Oscar nomination. Grown Ups. You can see Chris Sullivan, Mandy Moore and Sterling K. Brown in the award winning NBC series this Is Us and you can hear them on the Rewatch podcast this Was Us. Circle Round is a production of WBUR Boston's N

[Listener/Caller]

Foreign.

[Rebecca Shear]

I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling Round with us. Now that you've made it to the end of this Circle Round episode, we want to know what's your favorite Circle Round story? Thousands of fans just like you have been telling us about the Circle round stories they like best. Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too.

[Listener/Caller]

I'm Michael and I'm from Israel. And my favorite story is all of them. My name is Max and I'm from Boxford, Massachusetts. And my favorite circle round is the One Speckled Hen. Because I like the part when they take care of the hen. My name is Zoe, I live in Berksford, Massachusetts. And my favorite circle round is the Pika and the Puka. Because my favorite part is when the puka flies the piper to the fairy's cave. My name is William, I'm from Ohio. And my favorite circle round show is the Round Mossy stone. And my favorite part is when the elephant says what just happened? My name is Edith, I live in Reston, Virginia. And my favorite episode is the Sea in the Sky. My favorite part is the whole episode. Hello, my name is Otto and I'm from South Pasadena, California. And my favorite circle round story is Home Sweet Home. And I like to fight with the cheetah. Runs away. Hello, my name is Lucas and I'm from South Pasadena, California. My favorite episode of Circle Round is the Flame Keeper. My favorite part is when possum runs down the mountain and lights the fire. My name is Oliver. I live in Vermont. My favorite circle round story is Hot Potatoes. My favorite part is when the stories stew with all the sweet potatoes.

[Rebecca Shear]

Did someone mention a story you've missed? Not to worry, grown ups. You can find all all of our circle round stories, plus links to the Circle Round club, picture books, coloring pages and oh so much more on our website, WBUR.org CircleRound.