In a time long past, in the Town of the Cliffs, two sisters, daughters of a chief, venture to a pool to wash clothes. The elder sister dismisses the younger's fears of lurking dangers. Unbeknownst to them, the cannibal demon Átahsaia, a grotesque creature with a taste for human flesh, observes them from his cave. He plots to capture the maidens, luring them with false kindness. As the sisters wash, Átahsaia approaches, pretending to be their grandfather. The elder sister, swayed by his deceitful charm, agrees to accompany him to his home, while the younger sister hesitates. The demon leads them to his cave, where he offers them a meal made from the flesh of children. The sisters, horrified, feign eating while secretly discarding the food. Meanwhile, two divine brothers, Áhaiyúta and Mátsailéma, who are guardians of the people, overhear the demon's call and decide to intervene. They wait patiently, observing the demon's actions. When the sisters are inside the cave, the brothers spring into action. Using a magical shield to protect the maidens, they attack Átahsaia, ultimately defeating him with arrows and war clubs. After the battle, the brothers instruct the sisters to return home and inform their father of the demon's defeat. They prepare to ascend to the heavens, promising to watch over the land as stars. The sisters express their gratitude, and the brothers transform the demon's remains into celestial symbols: his head becomes a red star, and his entrails form the Milky Way. The brothers' playful antics with the demon's effigy amuse their grandmother, who eventually scolds them for their mischief. The story concludes with the brothers becoming the morning and evening stars, forever guarding the people, while their grandmother disappears, leaving behind a legacy of protection and guidance.
By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1883 · Genre: Folklore, Fantasy, Adventure