7 Mice and the Wicked Coyote – A Retold Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, in a sun-drenched desert, there lived a mother mouse with seven little mice. As her children grew older, she decided it was time for them to venture out into the world. But before they left, she gave them a stern warning.

“You are now old enough to build your own homes,” she said, her voice heavy with concern. “But beware of the wicked coyote. He is cunning, ruthless, and will stop at nothing to get his prey. Always stay vigilant.”

The seven mice nodded, remembering the stories of how the coyote had tricked their father and taken his life. They set off, each determined to build a home that could protect them from the infamous predator.

The First Mouse and the Sand House

The first mouse, not the brightest of the bunch, built his home out of sand. It was easy to gather and quick to construct. He admired his work, thinking it was enough to keep him safe.

But the wicked coyote soon appeared, wearing his signature red hoodie and bandanna, his sharp eyes glinting with hunger. He approached the sand house with a sly grin.

“Little mouse,” he called out sweetly, “please let me in. It’s so hot outside, and I just want some shade.”

The mouse, wary but naive, refused. “Not by the tail on my back am I letting you in!”

The coyote’s grin widened. “Then I’ll huff and puff and blow your house down!”

And he did. The sand flew everywhere, and the flimsy house collapsed in an instant. The wicked coyote pounced and gobbled the first mouse up in one bite.

The Second Mouse and the Cactus House

The second mouse, slightly smarter, built his home out of cactus. The prickly exterior gave him confidence, but it wasn’t long before the coyote arrived. Using his magic, the coyote transformed into a wolf and approached the house with a sorrowful look.

“Little mouse,” he said, feigning exhaustion, “please let me in. I’ve walked so far, and my poor paws are sore.”

But the mouse wasn’t fooled. “You are the wicked coyote, and I won’t let you in!”

Angered, the coyote growled, “Then your house is gone!” With a mighty blow, he destroyed the cactus house, ignoring the sharp spines that pricked his fur. Once again, he gobbled up the second mouse whole.

The Third Mouse and the Stick House

The third mouse decided to build his home out of sticks. It was sturdier than sand or cactus, and he thought it would keep him safe.

The coyote, now disguised as a vulture, swooped down to the stick house. “Little mouse,” he croaked, “please let my tired wings rest in your home.”

But the mouse was not deceived. “You are the coyote, and you won’t fool me!”

The coyote’s eyes flashed with fury. “You’ll regret this,” he snarled as he broke through the stick house’s window. The third mouse barely had time to react before the coyote devoured him.

The Fourth Mouse and the Brick House

The fourth mouse, more cautious, built his home out of brick. It was strong and sturdy, and he felt secure inside.

The coyote, ever the trickster, transformed into a fellow mouse. Knocking gently on the door, he said, “Brother, let me in! The coyote is nearby, and I need shelter.”

Believing the coyote’s disguise, the fourth mouse opened the door—and was immediately eaten. The wicked coyote chuckled. “I knew that would work!”

The Fifth Mouse and the Stone House

The fifth mouse constructed his home out of stone, determined to outwit the coyote. But the predator was relentless.

Dressed in a tan bandanna and jacket, the coyote approached and said, “Little mouse, let me in. I promise I mean no harm.”

The mouse shook his head. “I would never trust a beast like you!”

Enraged, the coyote used his sharp claws to tear through the stone house and devoured the fifth mouse.

The Sixth Mouse and the Iron House

The sixth mouse, cleverer than his siblings, built a house of iron. When the coyote arrived, he didn’t bother with tricks. “Little mouse,” he barked, “let me eat you, or I’ll burn your house down!”

The mouse refused, shouting, “Not by the tail on my back!”

True to his word, the coyote set fire to the iron house, forcing the sixth mouse to flee. He didn’t make it far before the coyote caught him.

The Seventh Mouse and the Steel House

The seventh mouse, the smartest of them all, built a house of steel. Its impenetrable walls gleamed in the sunlight, and the coyote’s schemes had finally met their match.

Exhausted from his previous battles, the coyote approached the steel house with a tired voice. “Little mouse, let me in. I only want to talk.”

But the seventh mouse stood firm. “Not by the tail on my back am I letting you in!”

The coyote tried everything—huffing, puffing, clawing, and even magic—but the steel house held strong. Out of breath and defeated, the coyote slunk away, muttering curses under his breath.

For the first time, the wicked coyote had been bested.

Peace at Last

The seventh mouse lived peacefully in his steel house, learning from the mistakes of his siblings. Though the coyote’s threat still loomed, the youngest mouse knew that courage, caution, and clever planning would keep him safe.

Moral of the Story

Foresight, intelligence, and resilience can overcome even the most cunning of adversaries.