The Popol Vuh

>

man was not. To supply the deficiency the divine beings resolved to create mannikins carved out of wood. But these soon incurred the displeasure of the gods, who, irritated by their lack of reverence, resolved to destroy them. Then by the will of Hurakan The "Heart of Heaven" and a powerful storm deity; the word is the linguistic origin of the English "hurricane.", the Heart of Heaven, the waters were swollen, and a great flood came upon the mannikins of wood. They were drowned and a thick resin fell from heaven. The bird Xecotcovach A bird of prey, often identified as a vulture or hawk; the name implies a creature that gouges eyes. tore out their eyes; the bird Camulatz Literally "The Beheader," a supernatural bird that severs the heads of the failed wood-men. cut off their heads; the bird Cotzbalam The "Crouching Jaguar," a predator that devours the flesh of the wooden race. devoured their flesh; the bird Tecumbalam The "Jaguar-Bird" or "Cave Jaguar," responsible for crushing the bones of the mannikins. broke their bones and sinews and ground them into powder. Because they had not thought on Hurakan, therefore the face of the earth grew dark, and a pouring rain commenced, raining by day and by night. Then all sorts of beings, great and small, gathered together to abuse the men to their faces. The very household utensils and animals jeered at them, their mill-stones, their plates, their cups, their dogs, their hens. Said the dogs and hens, "Very badly have you treated us, and you have bitten us. Now we bite you in turn." Said the mill-stones (metates original: "metates"; large hollowed stones used by the women for bruising and grinding maize.), "Very much were we tormented by you, and daily, daily, night and day, it was squeak, screech, screech, original: "holi, holi, huqi, huqi"; these K'iche' words are onomatopoeic, mimicking the grating sound of stone against stone. for