In an untitled prologue, an unidentified speaker introduces the story that follows as a parable passed along as a folklore.

Kino, a young Native Mexican man, wakes up early one morning in his brush house near La Paz, Mexico, where he lives with his wife, Juana, and their infant son, Coyotito. Juana is already awake. She rises and checks on Coyotito, who sleeps in a crib that hangs from the ceiling, before tending to the fire and making breakfast. Kino goes outside and watches the sun rise. Hearing the sounds of Juana and Coyotito inside the house, Kino thinks of those sounds as part of “the Song of the Family” (6), which signifies “this is safety, this is warmth, this is the Whole” (7).

Returning inside, Kino eats a corncake. Suddenly, he and Juana spot a scorpion moving down one of the ropes holding up Coyotito’s crib. Kino now hears “the Song of Evil,” which emanates from “any foe of the family” (8). As Juana mutters charms and prayers to protect the baby, Kino approaches the crib, trying not to startle the scorpion. When Coyotito laughs and shakes the rope, the scorpion falls and stings Coyotito before Kino kills it.