In a time when gods roamed the earth, a hermit named Mítsina lived in isolation due to his evil nature. He resided in the Canyon of the Pines, engaging in games of sacred arrows, which he played alone. His skill was unmatched, and he lured young men into gambling, leading them to lose everything, including their lives. One day, two War-gods, Áhaiyúta and Mátsailéma, stumbled upon Mítsina's game while hunting. They were drawn in by the sounds of his play and, confident in their abilities, challenged him. Despite their skill, they lost everything, including their bodies, to Mítsina. The hermit, reveling in his victory, planned to kill them to prevent them from revealing his deceit. However, the elder brothers of the War-gods sensed their plight and rushed to Mítsina's home. They rescued their siblings and challenged Mítsina to a game, betting everything they had. Mítsina, overconfident, lost all his possessions, including his own body parts, until he was left with nothing but his eyes. The War-gods decided to reform Mítsina by gouging out his eyes, rendering him blind. When he regained consciousness, he discovered his loss and, feeling the warmth of the sun, realized he had to change his ways. He lit a pitch to regain a semblance of sight, which led him to abandon his old life and seek the City of the Gods. As he journeyed, birds mocked him for his blindness, and attempts to extinguish his light only resulted in their own transformation. The Eagles and Crows, in their efforts, became blackened, forever changing their appearance. Mítsina, now a figure of sorrow, continued to carry his light and sing a mournful song, embodying the consequences of his past actions. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the potential for redemption through change.
By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1883 · Genre: Mythology, Fantasy, Folklore