INTRODUCTION. 21 
In the second period, that of the transformation, the people scatter 
out over the earth. They again learn of their power and of their nature. 
Especially do they begin to give themselves names, turn by groups into 
the animals whose names they have taken, or, should they not give 
themselves a name, remain as human beings. Certain ones during 
this period forget their duties. Everything seems to have gone wrong, 
and both planets and animals overstep the bounds of respectability. This 
period of change and unrest and of transformation finally culminates 
in a woman giving birth to four monsters whose heads tower upwards 
toward the heavens. To destroy them and other insolent creatures is 
sent the deluge, which marks the termination of the second period. 
The third period, or the present, was inaugurated by the survival 
of two individuals after the deluge. They again are provided with 
corn and the bow and arrows, and are taught the use of various imple- 
ments, as well as the construction of the lodge. These two degenerate, 
and teach their offspring concerning the times of the ancients. People 
do as they were taught, and are given power by the animals. During 
the early days of this period the people were not only taught the mys- 
teries of the animals, and were told that they could exercise great 
powers, but they were told that they would have to die, whereupon, on 
the return of a certain individual from a journey to Spirit-Land, they 
learned of the other world and the consequent belief in life after death. 
The fourth period, or the end, which the Wichita suppose to be 
rapidly approaching, is known as “Things-running-short” (Wadawa- 
kahitstsiaitsquawaskina), or ‘“When-everything-begins-to-run-out”’ 
(Dakawaitsakakide). The belief in the end of the world as now be- 
lieved by the Wichita, has prevailed from early creation, for even then 
it was foretold. At the end, the supply of the necessaries of life will 
run short. People will no longer accomplish anything. As the time 
approaches Mother-Corn will cease to grow, and in her stead will ap- 
pear some despised weed. At that time, animals will begin to speak 
to men, even the trees and flowing water will talk. Children of the same 
families will intermarry and cease to have offspring, and this is to be 
one of the indications of the approaching end, for they will lose their 
judgment. The animals will cease to reproduce their kind, and human 
beings likewise will give birth to animals. The old world will be com- 
pletely worn out and no longer fit to be inhabited. Furthermore, the 
man who has been following the three deer throughout the ages, when 
the end approaches, will overtake the deer, for he has been following 
them since the beginning, in order to recover his arrow, and it is be- 
lieved that he is drawing nearer to them. 
