In a time of ancient myths, a beautiful maiden lived in Salt City, the daughter of a wealthy priest-chief. Many young men sought her affection, but she demanded proof of their love through arduous tasks. One young man from the Pueblo of the Winds, enamored by her beauty, attempted to win her heart by offering gifts. However, she challenged him to hoe her cornfield in a single morning to prove his love. He accepted but was tormented by swarms of mayflies and mosquitoes sent by the maiden, who secretly wished to test his resolve. After failing to complete the task, he returned home in shame. Other suitors faced similar fates, all driven away by the relentless insects. Eventually, a poor but determined young man from Hálonawan, encouraged by his wise grandmother, decided to try his luck. He prepared himself with a bitter root to repel the insects and successfully completed the task, impressing the maiden. However, a jealous sister of the maiden, who was a witch, disguised herself and created confusion when both sisters appeared before the young man. In a tragic misunderstanding, he struck the wrong sister, killing her. Overcome with grief, he mourned her loss, realizing too late that he had loved the wrong one. The maiden's spirit appeared to him, revealing that she was a spirit and urging him to move on. Yet, he refused to leave her side. She instructed him to gather prayer-sticks and a red feather, promising that if he followed her spirit, he could be with her again. He embarked on a long and arduous journey, facing numerous challenges and pain, but remained determined to follow the feather that represented her spirit. Eventually, he reached a lake where the maiden's spirit entered the water, leading to the realm of the dead. Desperate to join her, he attempted to follow but was thwarted by the depths of the water. An owl, sensing his despair, offered him guidance and magical assistance. After a night of sleep induced by the owl's medicine, he awoke to find the maiden's spirit beside him, and they began their journey back together. However, in a moment of weakness, he kissed her, breaking the spell that bound them. The maiden, realizing he did not truly love her, vanished, leaving him alone once more. The story concludes with the young man's eternal longing and the lesson that love requires understanding and sacrifice, reflecting on the nature of life, death, and the consequences of one's actions.
By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1887 · Genre: Mythology, Romance, Tragedy