In an ancient time, in a village known for its yellow rocks, a beautiful maiden, the daughter of a high priest, possessed extraordinary hunting skills and knowledge of animals. However, she was selfish and hoarded the game for herself, leaving the villagers to suffer from hunger. Many young men sought her hand, but she set a challenge: they must bring her a deer to prove their worth. One by one, suitors failed to catch any game, as the maiden secretly controlled the animals, keeping them in a hidden corral. Each young man returned empty-handed, and the maiden dismissed them, maintaining her selfish hold over the animals. Eventually, two small gods, who were brothers, decided to court her. Despite their unattractive appearance, they were powerful and clever. The brothers approached the maiden with nothing but their bows. They observed her secretive behavior and discovered her corral filled with deer and other game. They waited for her to arrive and, when she did, they shot a deer, impressing her with their hunting skills. The maiden, realizing they had succeeded where others had failed, agreed to marry them. However, she imposed a new challenge: they must clean and prepare a large number of buckskins she had accumulated. The brothers, with the help of field mice they encountered, managed to complete the task. The maiden, pleased with their efforts, agreed to marry them both. As time passed, the brothers and the maiden lived together and had twin boys. However, the younger brother's impulsiveness led to tragedy when he shot the maiden, fearing she would be taken by the sun. The brothers were left with their children, and they returned to their grandmother, who initially rejected them but eventually accepted the grandchildren. The story concludes with a moral about the responsibility to care for abandoned children, reflecting the values of compassion and nurturing within the community.
By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1883 · Genre: Mythology, Folklore, Fantasy