Creation Myths of Primitive America: In relation to the Religious History and Mental Development of MankindCurtin, Jeremiah
Religion
Creation Myths of Primitive America: In relation to the Religious History and Mental Development of Mankind
Curtin, Jeremiah
Creation -- Mythology; Indian mythology -- North America; Indians of North America -- Folklore
"I dreamed of two sisters," said he to his father and mother next
morning, "I saw two women last night. They are both very beautiful. I
must find them; I will bring them home if I can."
"You must not go," said his father and mother. "If you go, you will
never come back to this country. We shall not see you again if you
leave us. We know that those people will kill you. We shall never see
you again if you go from here." Then they cried bitterly, both of
them.
But his father and mother could not stop Juiwaiyu; he would go. When
he was ready to start, his mother said,--
"Your uncle lives at Shultsmauna, near Kamshumatu. Stop there. You
must see your uncle, you must talk with him. His name is Jupka. He is
very wise; he will help you. There will be thunder and a sprinkle of
rain here when you touch your uncle's house. I shall know then that
you have got that far in safety."
Juiwaiyu began to sing. He started, and rose through the air. He went
very high, and cried--cried and sang as he travelled. Though he had
made up his mind to go, he feared that his mother's words might come
true, that the people beyond Wahkalu might kill him. He looked far
ahead, and saw smoke near the edge of the sky. "That may be smoke from
my uncle's house," thought Juiwaiyu.
He moved toward the smoke; went on till he was straight above his
uncle's house. He went down to the roof then, and peeped in through
the smoke-hole. The old man, who was lying with his back to the fire,
saw him look in. Jupka stood up, looked again, grabbed his spear.
"Is that the way you look into my house? What do you want here?" cried
Jupka, aiming his spear at the stranger.
"It is I, uncle,--I, Juiwaiyu."
"Why did you not call me uncle when you looked first? Why did you not
say who you were when you came? I might have killed you; I came very
near killing you with my spear. Come down, come down; let me see you,
my nephew."
"I will," said Juiwaiyu; "I have travelled far to-day, I am tired."
He went down on the central pole.
"Uncle, I have come to talk with you, to let you know where I am
going."
"You would better eat first," said Jupka; and he took Juiwaiyu in his
arms, smoothed his hair, and was glad to look at him.
"You are tired, my nephew; you are hungry; you must eat."
"I am not hungry; I have no time to wait; I am in a great hurry."
"Where are you going, my nephew?" asked Jupka.
"I had a dream last night, my uncle; I dreamed of two sisters,
daughters of Damhauja."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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