The Maiden the Sun Made Love to, and her Boys

Name: The Maiden the Sun Made Love to, and her Boys
Author: Frank Hamilton Cushing

The narrative unfolds in a mythical setting where a priest-chief's daughter, isolated in her home, becomes the object of the Sun's affection. The Sun visits her daily, but the townspeople, curious about her beauty, devise dances to entice her out. Despite their efforts, she remains hidden, protected by the Sun, who places an Eagle to guard her. Frustrated by her absence, two Warrior Priests consult the gods, who decree that the girl must either emerge or perish. The Eagle, aware of the impending danger, informs the girl, leading her to release him. He flies to the Sun, who instructs the girl to prepare for a journey to the heavens. On the day of the dance, the girl, adorned in her finest garments, is carried by the Eagle into the sky. However, the gods, angered by her defiance, shoot her down as she attempts to escape. She falls to the earth, giving birth to twin boys, who are later discovered by a Badger and raised in his home. As the twins grow, they exhibit extraordinary abilities and a desire to hunt. They eventually learn of their heritage and the fate of their mother. The Sun reveals their lineage and instructs them on how to resurrect their mother from the Acoma people, where she is honored in death. The twins successfully infiltrate the Acoma, disguised as the old priestess, and retrieve their mother's bones. However, during their escape, they lose one of her eyes, which they cover with her hair. They return to their home, but the younger brother, driven by hunger, disobeys their father's command and kills a deer, leading to their demise at the hands of the animals they hunted. The story concludes with the twins' transformation into stars, symbolizing their eternal connection to the Sun and the consequences of human folly. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of wisdom, gratitude, and the consequences of anger and conflict among people.

By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1883 · Genre: Mythology, Fantasy, Literary Fiction · 14,847 words

First lines

Let it be about a person who lived in the Home of the Eagles (Kʻiákime), under the Mountain of Thunder, that I tell you today. So let it be. It was in the ancient, long-forgotten times. It was in the very ancient times beyond one's guessing. There lived then, in this town, the daughter of a great priest-chief, but she had never, never, never since she was a little child, come forth from the doorway of the house in which she dwelt. No one there in that town had ever seen her; even her own townspeople had never seen her.

What this Textopian page supports

The Maiden the Sun Made Love to, and her Boys is listed on Textopian as a novella by Frank Hamilton Cushing, dated 1883 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novella
Author: Frank Hamilton Cushing
Date: 1883 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Adventure, Romance
Length: 14,847 words
Structure: 1 section, 244 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Mythology — The title suggests themes of love and nature, indicative of mythological narratives.
Fantasy — The elements of the sun and personification imply a fantastical setting.
Literary Fiction — The writing style likely explores deep themes and character development.
Adventure — The narrative may involve journeys or quests related to the characters.