This is a favorite story of mine on how the raccoon got his markings.

“Stop, Thief!  cawed the Raven, who saw someone in a mask running away from his home.  Raven could see a torch in the thief’s hands and hear the jingle of the beautiful silver bracelets he had stolen himself some years back.  The next day he went to each of the forest animals – Bear, Owl, Eagle, and Chipmunk – but none seemed to know anything about the missing jewelry. Finally, Raven visited Raccoon.  

At that time, the Raccoon was all grey, from nose to tail. “Someone has taken five silver bracelets from me,” Raven said. “Do you know anything about that?” “No, I don’t.” Raccoon snarled. Raven apologized and thanked Raccoon, but when Raccoon turned his back, Raven saw five dark rings of tarnish on his tail.

“Ah hah!” Raven said. “It was you!” Raccoon was contrite and admitted what he had done, but Raven didn’t think that was enough. “From now on,” Raven said, “everyone will know you are a thief. Your face will show the mask with which you hid yourself, your hands will be blackened by the ash from your light, and your tail will always have rings stained on it. And so it was. 

Raccoon never really stopped his thieving ways. He still comes out at night looking for things he can take, wearing his bandit’s mask and dirty paws.  Purrs, Gulliver