Speedily the fathers of the people recognized their lost K'yäk'lu (led and prompted as they were of the Twins), and preciously they housed him, as we preciously and secretly receive with the tobacco of relationship a returning relative, and purify him and ourselves before he speaks, so that he may not bring evil or we receive it, perchance, with the breath of his strange words.

   Thus the fathers of the people did to K'yäk'lu and the ancient ones, receiving them into secret council. And as one who returns famished is not given to eat save sparingly at first of the flour of drink, so with this only was K'yäk'lu regaled; but his bearers were laden speedily with gifts of food and garments which, in truth, they would not wear save in disorderly ways. Then K'yäk'lu spoke a message of comfort to the mourners, telling them how below the waters into which their little ones had sunken, they were dwelling in peace among the gods, and how all men and mothers would follow them in the fullness of each one's time.

   And then, holding in his hand the Duck, the guide to his blindness, he spoke in measured motion and tone, to the sound of the shells on the neck of the Duck, the words of creation, K'yäk'lu Mósonan Chïm'mik'yanak'ya pénane , and of his wanderings, and the speeches of gods and beings as they had been told him, and the directions ot the sacred customs, all did he tell ceaselessly as he still does from mid-day to mid-day to each one of the six councils, that no part be forgotten.

   Thus did our people first learn of their lost messengers, all save two of them, Ánahoho áchi, and of their lost children in the City of Ghosts; yes, of the spirit beings and man, animal, and of the souls of ancient men dead in the before-time; yes, and they learned even more—that all would gather there, even those who had fled away in fear of the waters, in the fullness of time.





©1996, Richard Hooker

For information contact: Richard Hines
Updated 6-6-1999