The villain’s role of helping to define the hero is an essential element of every tale. In many stories, the villain is a witch, dragon, ogre, etc. In some stories, it is a toy, child, animal, or other “non-evil” character. But, villains are a necessary evil. They help the reader understand good by contrast. They add a touch of reality to a tale. And, they give the hero something to battle in order to win our hearts.

In the children’s story series, The Adventures of Tomy and Jon, I have villainized the coyote. Coyotes are not evil creatures. From a reality perspective, they are actually very helpful in controlling vermin and thereby help controlling disease. They are a much needed “villain”. Coyotes have gotten a bad wrap from writers, farmers, governments, (some) myths, and regular folk that listen to the aforementioned.

At one time, in native legend, the coyote held a place of honor. In many native myths, they are equated with the creator, they assist humans, and bring wisdom. In many myths, they are an intermediary between creator and man.

So, why villainize such an honorable creature as that? Because every tale needs an respectable villain, one that isn’t just one dimension, and because there are myths that allow for it. In The Adventures of Tomy and Jon, the coyote will feature heavily and will help me to define goodness in the world of Tomy and Jon—but they won’t be the only villains. I will also villainize: men, the government, helpless dragons, and any others that I see fit—so as to show the goodness in Tomy and Jon’s family, the wolves, indians, and any others that are needed. But, the coyote will be the primary antihero of my tale.

To accomplish this I will make use of native tales smather them together with my own concepts to, hopefully, build a character that is not evil in its purest form—but is evil in contrast to the hero. In this tale, Tomy and Jon have just entered into a struggle that is older than themselves. They have entered into a battle to save the world—and they will find that they have unlikely heroes who will join them in the fight.

Click here to begin the story of the Adventures of Tomy and Jon.