Two brothers, Áhaiyúta and Mátsailéma, living with their grandmother on Thunder Mountain, decide to steal thunder and lightning from the gods after becoming frustrated with rain during a hunting trip. They initially pretend to hunt prairie-dogs but set off for the Land of Everlasting Summer, where the gods reside. Unable to enter the gods' house, they seek help from their grandfather, the Centipede, who eventually retrieves the thunder-stone and lightning-shaft for them. Upon returning home, the brothers hide their stolen items but are soon tempted to play with them. Ignoring their grandmother's warnings, they unleash the thunder and lightning, causing chaos and heavy rain that floods their home. Despite their grandmother's desperate attempts to control the situation, the boys continue their reckless play until the house is submerged, leading to their grandmother's demise. After realizing the consequences of their actions, the brothers bury her and discover a new plant growing from her grave, which produces fiery red pods. They recognize the significance of the plant, linking it to their grandmother's spirit, and decide to spread its seeds, leading to the cultivation of peppers. The story concludes with the brothers reflecting on their loss and the legacy of their grandmother, while the mountain remains a site of thunder and lightning, forever marked by their actions.
By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1883 · Genre: Mythology, Fantasy, Adventure