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 will catch Hehku," said Matauwila, "but you would better run west;
run till you come to the house of the Chichi brothers."
The boy ran away to the west. He was hardly out of sight when Hehku
came. She made a great wind as she ran to the house.
"Old man," cried she, "where is Tsanunewa? Tell me where that boy is.
I have tracked him to your house. Tell me where he is, or I will kill
you."
"Come in," said Matauwila; "but you will not find the boy here. Come
in. Sit down in my house, look all over it. Come in, but you'll not
find the boy. Come in."
The central pillar of Matauwila's house was large and very smooth.
Hehku could not hold to it, but fell down and dropped into the first
trap. She broke right through that, and went through the three other
lines of double traps.
When Hehku burst through the traps, her body was flashing red fire
from every part of it, she was so angry. This fire from her body
killed Matauwila.
Hehku ran after the boy again; ran with her hands clasped behind her.
She ran that way always, and sang as she ran,--
"I am following Tsanunewa; I am on his track.
I am following Tsanunewa; I am on his track."
The boy rushed to the house of the Chichi. There were two brothers of
them.
The Chichis had two smooth rocks which looked like ice, but were more
slippery than any ice (rock crystals). One of these was at the eastern
door, the other at the opening on the roof.
"Grandfathers, save me!" cried Tsanunewa, running up to the door of
the house. "Grandfathers, save me!" cried he, running in.
Hehku was close behind now; she had almost caught him. When she
reached the door, she stepped on the crystal rock, slipped, and fell.
One Chichi closed the door in her face then. She sprang up, climbed
the side of the house, went to the door in the roof, stepped on the
second crystal in front of that door, slipped, and fell headlong; fell
into the sweat-house. She sprang up, caught one Chichi, fought with
him. His brother helped that one. The two fought a long time against
Hehku till she caught each by the arm, held them both with one hand,
and pounded them with the crystal from the lower door which she held
in her other hand. At last she said, "Whu!" and swallowed both at one
mouthful. While she was fighting with the Chichi brothers, Tsanunewa
ran on, ran to the west. Hehku was tired now.
"I cannot run farther," said she. She went to the housetop and cried,
"I wish this house to stretch out after that boy and catch him."
She sat on the housetop, and the house stretched out westward,
stretched more quickly than any one could run, and carried her after
Tsanunewa. The boy had run very far; he was near Jupka's house now.
"Uncle!" cried he, "I want to come in quickly. I am almost dead. Hehku
is chasing me. Hide me, my uncle, hide me. Save me, my uncle, save me,
or Hehku will kill me."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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