fba.chtknbbrg] alsea texts and myths ^ 117 



8. The Origin of Death 



(Once there lived) two (people who) were related as younger 

 brothers. They two lived together. Both had wives (and) each of 

 their (dual) children were males. On one morning the child (of one 

 of these men) became sick. It was not sick very long and died there 

 (and then). His heart felt very sore when his child died. Finally 

 he (dug) a grave for it. For one (whole) day he did not eat but 

 watched his child after it died. After four days he went, he came to 

 see his cousin. "What is thy opinion, my cousin, (concerning) that 

 boy of mine who died ; (suppose) he should come back here in five 

 days?" Thus he spoke. "No, my cousin. Thou shalt just keep 

 on eating (until) thou wilt become well again." Thus he told him. 

 (And that other man) said nothing to him. He was only thinkmg in 

 his mind thus: "I wiU surely get even with thee again." 



(Then it was) not very long (afterward) when the child (of the 

 second man) became sick. It was not ailing veiy long when it 

 died there (and then). His heart was very sore when his boy died. 

 (So) he said (that) he wanted his boy should come back to him. 

 Then he went there. "My cousin, it will be very good if our two 

 children should come back to us after five days." Thus he said to 

 his neighbor: "Not so, my cousin. Thou shalt only eat (and) thou 

 wilt feel well again." Thus he said to him: "I wanted very much 

 that our (dual) children should come back to us, but thou didst not 

 want it thus. People (will) habitually die but (will) never come 

 back, because thou didst not want it thus (at first). Thou didst 

 tell me (before), 'It is well thus (if they do not come back).'" 

 Thus he was thinking in his mind. And then he (felt) very good 

 when he kept on telling him thus. People would have habitually 

 come back after five days if he had said so (at first). It (would) be 

 very good if anybody (who) dies would always come back after five 

 days. 



Only now thus (it ends). Thus the story (was told) in the begin- 

 ning. 



