Inyan (Rock) had no beginning for he was when there was no other. His spirit was Wakantanka, and he was the first of the superior Gods. Then he was soft and shapeless like a cloud, but he had all the powers and was everywhere. Han was then, but she is not a being; she is only the black of darkness.

Inyan longed to exercise his powers, but could not do so for there was no other that he might use his powers upon. If there were to be another, he must create it of that which he must take from himself, and he must give to it a spirit and a portion of his blood. As much of his blood as would go from him, so much of his powers would go with it, for his powers were in his blood, and his blood was blue. He decided to create another as a part of himself so that he might keep control of all the powers.

To do this, he took from himself that which he spread around about himself in the shape of a great disk whose edge is where there can be no beyond. This disk he named Maka (Earth). He gave to Maka a spirit that is Maka-akan (Earth Goddess). She is the second of the superior Gods, but she is part of Inyan.

To create Maka, Inyan took so much from himself that he opened his veins, and all his blood flowed from him so that he shrank and became hard and powerless. As his blood flowed from him, it became blue waters which are the waters upon the earth. But the powers can not abide in waters; and when the blood of Inyan became the waters, the powers separated themselves from it and assumed another shape. This other being took the form of a great blue dome whose edge is at, but not upon, the edge of Maka.

Inyan, Maka, and the waters are material or that which can be held together; and they are the world. That which is Tanka (the Sky), is not material but spirit, Nagi Tanka (Supreme God or Sky God) is the Great Spirit who is all powerful and the source of all power, and his name is Škan (Almighty).

Thus in the beginning there were Inyan, Maka, and the waters, all of which are the world; and Nagi Tanka, named Škan, the blue from which is the sky above the world. The world is matter and has no powers except those bestowed by Nagi Tanka.

When these powers assumed one shape, they said a voice spoke, saying, "I am the source of energy. I am Škan."

This was the beginning of the third superior God who is superior to all because he is spirit. This was the beginning before there was time. This was the beginning of the world and of the sky over the world.

When Inyan created Maka, he imparted to her that portion of his spirit which is discontent so that she fretted and chided him because he had not created her as a separate being. Then, too, she was unhappy because Han was everywhere upon the world so that she could see neither Škan, nor Inyan, nor herself. Nor could she control the waters that were upon her.

"How can I see whether I am ugly or beautiful if Han remains forever upon the world? Send her away that I may look upon you, Inyan, and upon Škan and that I may behold myself."

Sadly Inyan replied, "When I opened my veins to create you, Maka, my blood all flowed from me and with it departed my powers. I can do no more."

Then she taunted him because of his loss of power and nagged him until he said, "We shall take our contention before Škan who is the possessor of all the powers which have departed from me and we shall abide by his decision."

They went before Škan, and Inyan cried to him, "O Škan, I pray you, answer the demands of this creature that I may again have the peace that was mine before I so rashly took a part of myself that I might give her being."

Škan heard the complaint of Maka that she had not been created a separate being, that she could see neither Inyan nor Škan nor herself, and that she could not control the waters.

Then Škan spoke and uttered a decree, "Maka must remain as she was created, joined to Inyan as a part of the world, but she shall be able to see herself and control the waters."

Thus Škan was established as a judge and he is the final arbiter of all things.

To pacify Maka, Škan divided Han into two halves. One remained darkness and was banished to the regions under the world. From the other Škan created Anp (Light) who is not a being but is only the red that shines.

Škan placed Anp on the world in place of Han and said, "Anp, I command you to give light to the world that all things may be visible."

Anp obeyed and there was light everywhere on the world, but there was neither any shadow nor any heat.

When Maka saw herself, she cried, "Alas! How bare I am and how cold and ugly!"

Then she beheld the waters. "Ah, the waters are blue and beautiful, I shall adorn myself with them."

And she divided the waters into seas, lakes, and running streams, and she wore them as her ornaments.

Maka soon grew weary of viewing herself and again complained to Škan, "There is no changing," she said, "All is glaring light. This brightness is unbearable and, what is more, I am cold. I beg of you, create something to warm me and soften the blazing light."

Škan again sought to pacify Maka. He took from Inyan, from Maka, from the waters and from himself that from which he created a great, shining disk. He named this disk Wi (Sun) and gave to Wi a spirit that is Wi-akan (Sun God). This was the beginning of the fourth superior God, Wi-akan.

Thus there were created the four superior Gods, Inyan-akan, Maka-akan, Nagi Tanka or Škan, and Wi-akan. The fourth of these was created by Škan; therefore he is a creature.

Škan placed Wi above the blue dome of himself and gave him this command. "Shine upon all the world and give heat."Wi did as Škan commanded him, and all the world was made hot.

Maka pettishly ordered Wi to make shadows to please her, but Wi replied, "I obey only the commands of Škan."

"You and I are both beings created by the other Gods," Maka argued. "As I was the first created, you are to me as a younger brother, and you should always obey me."

Škan heard their dispute; and, as he still wished to please Maka, he commanded Wi saying, "Give a shadow to every material thing, but do not make a shadow for any spirit thing."

Wi did as Škan commanded. He remained where Škan had placed him, high above the dome of Škan himself. He shone upon all the world so that the world was made hot. Every material thing had a shadow, but spirit things had none. Then Škan pronounced this edict, saying, "The shadow of each thing shall be its spirit and shall be with it always."

But as yet Maka was not content. "I am hot and can find no comfort anywhere," she cried. "The heat scorches me and the shadows irritate and madden me. I beg of you, Škan, return Han upon the world so that I may be cooled and may be freed from this dazzling light and these shadows."

And Wi joined in her plaint saying, "I myself am material, yet I have no shadow. I have no rest and I become very weary. I also beg you to return Han to the world for some of the time so that I may rest while she is upon the world."

Škan answered their grumblings and gave forth a decree. "Time shall be divided into two equal parts, day-time and night-time."

He gave one part to Anp, and called it day-time, and he gave the other to Han, and called it night-time. Then he commanded Anp and Han saying, "Anp and Han shall follow one after the other, coming onto the world and going into the regions under the world. Anp's time, which is day-time, shall be the time of activity; and Han's time, which is night-time, shall be a time of rest."

Škan granted to Wi the indulgence of doing his work in the day-time and resting in the regions under the world in the night-time. He commanded Wi saying, "Each day-time Wi shall come up over the edge of the world and make a journey across the blue dome of the sky, and each night-time he shall go down over the edge into the regions under the world, there to rest during the night-time."

So it was that before Han came upon the world, Wi went over the edge into the regions under the world to rest there; and, after Anp appeared, Wi came up again to do his work. There were, as yet, no directions and Wi, Han and Anp came and went over the edge of the world wherever it pleased them best.

Škan made Anp the herald of Wi, so that the time when Anp appears, before Wi comes onto the world, is the dawn; and the time when Anp follows Wi into the regions under the world is the twilight.

Anp represents Wi at all times and in all places. Thus daylight represents the sun.

In this way Maka was warmed and cooled and made more comfortable.

The four superior Gods are Inyan-akan, Maka-akan, Wi-akan, and Škan. Among them Maka was quarrelsome and nagged Inyan.

"Why did you not make me a bright and shining thing like Wi? I am dull and drab and even my ornaments, the blue waters, cannot make me beautiful."

She was jealous of Wi because he could journey over the world and she could not; and she quarreled with him and said, "I, Maka, was created first. You, Wi, shall come and go as I, Maka, command."

Wi rebelled against her demands and replied, "Škan has placed me on high to give heat and light and shadows to all, and I will be subject to none save Škan."

Škan, the great judge, knows all things and therefore knew of this dispute. He assembled the Gods and said to them, "I, Škan, and you, the other Gods, Inyan, Maka, and Wi, are all from one and the same source. Although we are four, we are only one; not even the Gods themselves, can understand. Each of us is only a part of Wakan Tanka, which no one, not even the Gods themselves, can understand. Each of us is only a part of Wakan Tanka and he is the God of Gods. What is more, I, Škan, am all powerful and the source of all power of any kind. I, Škan, can give and take at will."

He then gave to each of the Gods a rank. To Wi he said, "Because I, Škan, have placed Wi above all, even the blue dome of myself, Wi shall have the highest rank. I, Škan, pronounce Wi the chief of the Gods. He shall be first in precedence, and he shall govern the two times, Anp and Han."

Škan gave to Maka, who is the ancestress of all things upon the world, the third rank; and to Inyan, who is the source of all, he gave the fourth rank. He gave to himself the second rank, but as he is the source of all power and all spirit, he retained authority over all.

Then Škan gave to each God a domain with power to reign there as he or she would see fit. He said, "To Wi I give all above the world as his domain. To Maka I give all lands, save only the mountains and high hills, as her domain. To Inyan I give all rocks, mountains, and high hills as his domain. For myself I retain supreme authority everywhere."

Maka complained to Škan saying, "I, Maka, am only the dull drab of earth, while Wi is bright and shining red and Škan is blue. I beg of you, give to me, Maka, a color that I may be beautiful."

Heretofore the colors had been only the red of Wi, the blue of Škan and the drab of Maka. Škan decided to bestow on each God a color to be his or her emblem. to Wi he gave the color red, and because Wi is the chief of the Gods, red is an emblem of all things sacred. To Maka, who is the ancestress of all growing things upon the earth, he gave the color green; and to Inyan who is the ancestor of all, he gave the color yellow. For himself he retained the color blue so that all to be seen of him is the blue of the dome above the world.

So it is and so should the superior Gods, who are four, yet are but one, be recognized by all.

Each day Wi journeyed across the dome above the world and made heat and shadows. Each night he went to the regions under the world and sent Han on to the world to remain there until he came again. He was not lonely because Anp was ever with him to announce his coming and going. Škan, Maka, and Inyan remained in their respective domains. There was nothing for them to do, and they were lonely and longed for companions.

Therefore Škan assembled them, and granted to each one the power to create for himself such a companion as he desired.

Wi created a disk like himself, only more lovely, and named her Wi-win (Feminine Sun or Moon). He did not make her as bright as himself because he wished to gaze upon her beauty. She became his constant companion; together they governed the two times, day-time and night-time.

Maka created an alluringly beautiful being to whom she imparted her own ill-nature, and she named her Unk (Passion). Maka made her so beautiful that she became jealous of Unk, and they soon quarreled violently. Maka cast Unk into the waters and remained without a companion.

Škan created for his companion a being like himself in that it was not material, but spirit, and had no body. Škan named him Tate (Wind). Tate became the constant companion of Škan, was faithful to him, and did his will in all things. Škan made Tate his messenger and gave him authority to go and come in all places at all times.

Inyan remembered the trouble he brought upon himself when he created Maka, and he determined to create a being unlike any other to be his aid and do his will. He made a shapeless creature and named him Wakinyan (Winged-one or Thunderstorm). Wakinyan is as shapeless as a cloud and terrifying to behold. He has two wings of many joints, which he can spread afar or make very small; he has neither legs or feet, but has huge talons that can pierce the hardest of things; he has no mouth, but has a huge beak armed with sharp teeth that can rend and tear the toughest of things; he has no throat, but has a voice that is the thunder; and he has no head, but has one eye, and the glance of that eye is the lightning.

The person of Wakinyan is so horrible that anyone who sees him as Wakinyan is so terrified that he becomes foolish and acts clownish, and is called Heyoka (clownish or silly).

Because of this Škan said, " Wakinyan, hide yourself from all save only those evil ones whom you would destroy." Wakinyan was puzzled. "But how, oh Škan, can I fly over the world and remain hidden from all?" he asked.

"I shall show you how to make robes with which to cover yourself," said Škan.

Wakinyan then made many flying robes that are shapeless like himself, some large and some small, some black and some white, and some of many colors. He names these robes clouds. When he flies over the world more rapidly than the eagle, he wraps clouds about himself so that none can see him.

Wakinyan is the exact opposite of all natural things, and his normal condition is a state of anger. When he is pleased he seems angry, and when he is furious he seems pleasant. He delights in opposition and contrariness.

But Inyan gave to Wakinyan a double nature so that he can appear as an amiable giant to give pleasure to those who deserve his favor, and to give growth and increase to all creatures. When Wakinyan is amiable he is Heyoka (Restorer), and he restores to sound mind those friendless ones who have become Heyoka (silly) because they have seen the horrid person of Wakinyan.

Inyan gave to Wakinyan the level top of the high mountain which is at the edge of the world to be his abiding place. Wakinyan has there a lodge with striped walls, but with no covering overhead. It is lined inside with jagged rocks, for he likes to rest on hard, uneven surfaces. From this lodge he flies all over the world searching for evil things to destroy. Because Inyan cannot move, Wakinyan is his other self and carries out his wishes.

Wakinyan associates with Tate to cleanse the world of filthy things. By day and by night he flies and quickly passes from one place to another so that he may appear to be many when he is but one. When he sees an evil thing, his voice bellows as thunder; and if the thing resists him, he flashes from his eye a glance which is the lightning that destroys. Because of his good deeds Škan gave him control of the growth and increase of all creatures.

Thus were created the four associate gods, Wi-win (Moon), Unk (Passion), Tate (Wind), and Wakinyan (Winged-one or Thunderstorm).

Inyan was so pleased with his creation that he desired offspring by him. Therefore Wakinyan made a huge egg, and Inyan fertilized it. Wakinyan tumbled and tossed this egg, beat upon it with his wings, roared at it with his thunder until the shell was broken, and there came forth from it a full-grown being. Because this being's father was a God, he was God-like; but because his other parent was shapeless, his shape was queer. Škan imparted to this being a spirit, and Tate imparted to him a ghost. He was very wise and very amiable, and sought always to benefit and please others. Škan called him Ksa (Wisdom).

The Gods came to see him, and they laughed at his shape. But Ksa only wanted to give them pleasure and amuse them; he invented language such as all creatures can use and thus understand each other; he invented all pleasant sounds; he told stories and gave puzzles; he made games and taught the Gods to play them. He gave names to all creatures and things. He was welcomed in the domain of each of the Gods, for he entertained them and informed them of all that was done. He gave advice that was always good, and he was liked by all except Unk and her offspring. They hated him and sought to do him harm.

Ksa was the first offspring of the Gods. His father was Inyan, the source of all. Škan gave Ksa greater powers than he gave any other who was not a God, but Škan did not give him the rank of a God. Thus Ksa became the counselor of the Gods.

Woĥpe is the most beautiful of all beings and the most pleasing. Her father gave to her the powers of a Goddess, and she became the Goddess of amity and compassion, of beauty, and of happiness. The Gods received her as their equal in all that makes for harmony.

Maka, since she had no associate, pleaded with Škan that Woĥpe might be her companion. Škan gave forth a decree, saying, "Woĥpe shall appear as the associate of Maka, but she shall never be subject to her will."

Woĥpe and Ksa, the most beautiful and the most misshapen of all beings, became constant companions and delighted Škan by their good deeds. They were welcomed everywhere except in the domain of the waters, because Unk feared them on account of her evil thoughts.

Unk was beautiful, but she was vicious and sought to shame Maka, whom she hated for having cast her into the waters. Unk complained to Škan, saying , "O Škan, pity me, Unk, whom Maka has created as her associated God. See, she has repudiated me and made me to abide in the waters as an outcast."

Škan pitied her, and, to make amends for the wrong that had been done her, he gave to her the waters as her domain with powers to reign there as she willed and the right to associate with the Gods. But Unk had an evil disposition and meditated evil rather than good. To Inyan she bemoaned her loneliness. She schemed so cleverly and was so beautiful that Inyan forgot Wakinyan for love of Unk, and a son was born to them.

Because of his evil disposition, Škan named the son Iya (Evil-one), but his mother called him Tokapa (First-born), for he was the first being who came into the world by birth. Because of his destructive fury, he is called Ibom (Wind-storm or Tempest). Therefore Iya, Tokapa, and Ibom are one and the same devil.

Iya was a lusty babe. He grew apace and became a giant, but he was silly and fond of making trouble. He raged without cause and delighted in destruction. As Ibom he is chief of all misfortune, and Unk sent him into the domain of Maka to plague her.

Iya was jealous of Woĥpe and Ksa and sought to harm them. He came upon them and raged against them, but Woĥpe by her superior powers quieted him. Ksa said, "Inyan is my father, and he is also the father of you, Iya. I, Ksa, being the elder brother, demand obedience from you, Iya."

"I am a mighty and powerful giant," Iya argued, "much more powerful than you, Ksa. Therefore I, Iya, demand obedience from you, Ksa."

Woĥpe implored her father, Škan, to decide this question. Škan uttered this decree, saying, "It shall be the birthright of the oldest brother to control the younger brothers and sisters. Thus it shall be always."

Whenever Ksa and Iya disagree, Ksa prevails over Iya.

Unk became infatuated with Iya and bore to him a son. For this faithlessness Inyan put Unk aside. The offspring of Unk and Iya was a beautiful babe, and as he grew he became very alluring. He was also cunning and deceitful. He delighted most of all in enticing others to do that which would make them ridiculous or ashamed. Škan named him Gnas (Demon).

Gnas deceived his mother in order to shame her, and he tormented his silly father, who was also his brother, by persuading him to do ridiculous things that made trouble for himself. Because of the beauty of Gnas and his allurements, the Gods tolerated him. But he made his grandfather, Inyan, the butt of ridicule and caused the fury of Wakinyan to be laughed at. He won the confidence of Maka; and Wi-win, too, listened to his flattery. He hated Ksa, but hid his dislike under pretense of admiration while he schemed to make Ksa appear ludicrous. However Ksa always baffled Gnas when he attempted to beguile him.

Gnas sought to associate with Woĥpe and Ksa.

"You, Ksa," he said, "are my uncle because Iya, who is my father, is the son of Inyan and Unk. You, Ksa, are the son of Inyan and Wakinyan. Therefore you and my father are brothers."

Ksa admitted the kinship, but denounced Gnas and forbade his association with either Woĥpe or himself.

Then Gnas spoke deceitfully to Ksa, saying, "My uncle, I will learn from you that which I should do."

Woĥpe pitied Gnas and vainly tried to turn him from his cunning and deceit.

Gnas sought Maka and cajoled her until she granted him the privilege of abiding in her domain. He told his mother, Unk, of this, and she encouraged him in his treachery, for she hated Maka. Maka had cast her into the waters after creating her a Goddess, and she hoped to avenge herself against Maka.

In his scheming Gnas spared none and tricked all whom he could get to fall into his deceits. Iya and Gnas made their mother miserable. Gnas incited Iya to do mischief that would make her troubled, but he cunningly escaped from all blame himself.

Wakinyan knew of the love between Inyan and Unk. He raged with fury when Iya was born and declared himself the enemy of Unk and Iya. Since Wakinyan is an unnatural being, his laughter means anger, and his praises hatred. He lauded Unk and her child Iya and laughed at Inyan. He hid in his robes of clouds and flew over the world seaching for Unk and Iya to scourge them with the glances of his eye and rend them with his beak. He assaulted them wherever he came upon them

Unk complained of this to Škan, and he uttered a decree,saying, "Wakinyan shall not enter the domain of Unk, which is the waters, shall not harm a cedar tree or those under the branches of a cedar tree."

Unk then sought refuge in the waters where Wakinyan dared not follow her. Then Wakinyan declared enmity against all that is filthy on the earth, saying that he would throw all such into the waters.

Gnas persuaded Iya to defy Wakinyan and go upon the domain of Maka to vex her. Iya did so and Wakinyan came upon him there. Iya, as Ibom, fought with Wakinyan, and the combat was terrible. Wakinyan descended in a whirling cloud and pierced Iya again and again with his glance, but Iya was the son of a God and could not be destroyed. As Wakinyan flew about him, Iya whirled, striking at Wakinyan again and again, but he could not hit him. Wakinyan drove him from the lands back into his mother's domain, the waters.

Gnas gleefully viewed this combat, but when Wakinyan turned on him to rend him, he screamed for mercy.

"Harm me not. It was I who lured Iya from Unk's domain onto the domain of Maka so that he would be where you could attack him and punish him for his evil ways. I did this to aid you, Wakinyan, in your good works against evil things."

Wakniyan believed him and did not molest him. Thus Gnas deceived Wakinyan, and he boasted of this to Unk, his mother. She praised him for his cunning wiles and urged him on in his trickery.

Gnas persuaded Iya that he would finally overcome Wakinyan, and then he could go and come without hindrance. Again and again Iya fought with Wakinyan. The clouds swirled to the ground, the lightning flashed, the thunder rolled, and Iya roared with a mighty voice. But because Inyan was the parent of both, neither could destroy the other. But Iya was always defeated and driven back to his mother's domain. He still continues to fight and during the fierce battles growing things are broken, uprooted, and smashed. The two mighty giants trample and destroy even the largest trees of the forest, all except the cedar tree, which Wakinyan cannot harm and which Ibom will not harm because under its branches is a safe refuge. Thus began a never-ending strife which is waged between Wakinyan and Iya as Ibom.

Ksa always gave good advice and did kindness to all. Škan spoke to Ksa and asked, "Why are all in awe of me, Škan, so that there can be no friendly communion between us?"

Ksa replied, "Because Škan is spirit while all others, excepting only Tate, have material persons. They fear Škan, who is of a nature differing from theirs."

Ksa considered the loneliness of Škan, and then advised him thus, "Škan should create a spirit folk, a people with whom he can be familiar, a people who will be his faithful servants to do his will."

Tate also complained to Škan, saying, "I, Tate, being the messenger of Škan, must travel over the world at the time when Anp is upon the world,and it is light so that everything can be seen; and also when Han is upon the world, and there is only the black of darkness, and all is hidden so that I, Tate, must go on my errands seeing nothing."

Then Škan took from the waters a part of their Nagila (spirit or steam), and out of it he made many tiny beings. These were the star people, and he named them Wican (sunlets). He placed them high above the blue dome of himself and bade them dwell there. He gave them power to shine out and give light as that of Anp or Wi or Wi-win, but a pale light which gives neither heat nor any shadows.

He commanded them to sleep while Wi was in the dome of the sky and to travel across the world above his dome each night so that there might be light for Tate to do his work by. And he commanded them to see all that transpired upon the world at night and to tell him what they saw. One he made their chief and bade him remain in one place to marshall all the other stars and direct them on their journey so that they would not become confused, for as yet there were no directions on the world. This one was the North Star.

Škan decreed that any who failed to do as he commanded would be cast down onto the world and would perish. The Wican did as Škan commanded, but some have been cast down and have perished. And these have become evil spirits who wander over the world seeking what wickedness they can bring about.

Woĥpe and Ksa were visiting Wi and Wi-win when Wi-win said to Ksa, "Ksa gives pleasure with that which can be seen and heard. Can he not invent pleasures that can be tasted and smelled?"

"To do so would give me great joy," Ksa replied."But should I create such things in the domain of any one of the Gods, the other Gods would be jealous."

"Ksa could please all and give offense to none," suggested Woĥpe,"if he would create things good to smell and things good to taste in the regions under the world, and incite all the Gods to partake of them there."

The world rests on regions under the world where all may be happy and at peace, for in that place there is neither labor nor want. It is where the Gods assemble, and it is where Škan announces his decrees.

Ksa and Woĥpe sought the aid of Wakinyan to tell them how they might create things good to taste and smell. Wakinyan was willing to help them, and he gave to Woĥpe a fine dust, saying to her, "Blow your breath upon this dust."

Woĥpe did so. Then Wakinyan took the dust and gave it to Ksa, saying, "Go and plant this dust in the regions under the world."

Ksa did as Wakinyan told him and sowed the dust in the regions under the world. From it grew white fruits that had neither roots nor stems, neither leaves nor flowers. Ksa and Woĥpe smelled this fruit and its odor was like delightful perfume. They tasted of it and found it both delicious and satisfying.

Then from material which he created, Ksa made a lodge in the form of a circle with a door for an entrance. He made it in this wise because the world and the sky above it are both circular. To mark the place of honor he placed a seat at the rear opposite the door and named it chatku (throne). One seat he placed near the center of the lodge and one beside the entrance. The rest he placed in the circle between the chatku and the door. He borrowed heat from Wi, and with this he created a fire. The fire he placed inside the lodge at the center of the circle, and that place is the fireplace in any lodge. In this manner he made the first lodge, and it is the model for all lodges.

Woĥpe molded twelve bowls out of earth, one for each guest, and large pots for cooking. She also created spoons and ladles, a spoon for each bowl and a ladle for each pot. She and Ksa then gathered a great store of the white fruits and placed them inside the lodge, and another great store and placed them outside the lodge.

When these preparations were completed, Ksa made ten tokens, and Woĥpe ornamented them. Each was different, but all were alike in that they were beautiful. Together Ksa and Woĥpe went to the domains of the Gods and gave a token to each one, also to Iya and Gnas, bidding them come to the feast to be given in the regions under the world. Each was to bring his token, and it would be redeemed at the feast.

At the appointed time the guests all came, wondering what a feast could be because the Gods neither ate nor drank; they felt neither hunger nor thirst, nor had they ever smelled or tasted food or drink. Škan came with his associate, Tate, and Wi with Wi-win, but Maka had no associate, having cast Unk from her. Therefore Maka came alone. Inyan came with Wakinyan, who appeared as the amiable giant, Heyoka. Iya and Gnas came with their mother, Unk.

All examined the lodge with admiration and pronounced it good, except Gnas who whispered to Iya, "Shake it down and make Ksa ridiculous."

Iya became Ibom, and blew and shook the lodge with all his powers, but he could not destroy it. He tossed the bowls about, but he could not break them. Then all the Gods laughed at him, and Gnas laughed loudest of all.

Ksa then gave to each a seat. He gave to Wi the chatku, the place of honor. It was due him as the chief of the Gods. Wi-win was placed beside him on his left because she is his associate. In the circle, Škan was placed next on the right of Wi, with his associate, Tate, next on his right. Maka was next to Tate. On the left of Wi-win was seated Inyan, with his associate, Heyoka. Then came Unk next on the left of Heyoka. Ksa placed Iya on one side of the entrance next to Unk, and Gnas on the other side next to Maka. To Woĥpe he gave a seat beside the fire, which burned brightly and continuously without replenishing at the center of the lodge. For himself he took a seat beside the door.

When all were seated Wi arose and said, "The most worthy should occupy the seat of honor, and therefore it belongs to the great Spirit, the source of all powers and of all wisdom. Therefore the place of honor belongs to Škan."

Then all the Gods cried, "Nunwe (So-be-it or amen)."

Škan then took the place of honor and his daughter, Woĥpe, sat beside him. These seats rose so that they were above the seats of the others sitting in the circle. Tate sat on their right, and Wi and Wi-win on their left. Then Škan decreed that when the Gods sat in their circle, their seats should be as they then were.

In this manner were seated the guests at the first of all feasts, and so should the guests be placed at any feast thereafter.

While Ksa was busy placing the guests, Gnas slyly whispered to Iya, "Go quickly and defile the store of fruits placed outside the lodge, and so make Ksa and Woĥpe ridiculous."

Iya secretly did so.

When all were seated inside the lodge, Woĥpe placed the fruits so that some were toasted by the fire, and some she boiled in the pots and made a juice, and some she did not cook. As they were toasting and boiling, their odor filled the lodge with delightful perfume and caused each God to be thirsty and hungry.

Woĥpe served the fruits, filling a bowl with fruit and juice for each guest so that all had an abundance. Then they ate and drank and found the food delicious. The juice exhilarated them and caused them to be jovial and hilarious, all except Iya. He gulped his portion in a surly manner and called for more. Again and again Woĥpe served him until she was weary, for his bowl was large and heavy.

Woĥpe then brought fruits from the store outside the lodge and served him again. He gulped them down, and when he had swallowed them, he knew they were from the store which he had befouled. They nauseated him, and he berated Woĥpe and stormed at her, accusing her of giving him filthy food.

Škan knew all that Iya had done and why he was in a rage.

Škan said to him, "Because Iya has defiled food intended for the Gods, because he is a glutton, and because he has berated the daughter of the Gods, he is unfit to sit with the Gods. He shall go from them and sit no more with them. Iya shall forever hunger with a hunger that food will not satisfy so that he shall devour filth and his breath shall stink. Because of his rage he shall destroy without satisfaction."

Iya went and never again sat with the Gods. As he was going, Gnas laughed, but Unk hid her face in shame over the disgrace of her son.

When the Gods had feasted to repletion, and all were merry and satisfied, Ksa and Woĥpe sang and all danced except Iya and Gnas. Wi danced with Maka; Tate danced with Wi-win; Heyoka danced with Unk. Škan danced alone because he is the grandfather of all. Unk was afraid of Heyoka, for when he is Wakinyan he is her enemy. Because of her fear she stumbled as she danced and sometimes fell. Thus waters are often troubled, and there are waterfalls. When she stumbled and fell, Gnas made sport of her and laughed at her.

When all had feasted and danced, Woĥpe said to her father Škan, "Now that we have feasted, I pray you grant to each his wish when he presents his token."

"Škan will grant them their desires," replied her father.

Then to the Gods she said, "Let each present his token and ask for that most desired and my father will grant it."

Wi presented his token and said, "I desire most to be the patron of bravery, endurance, and fortitude, and of all contests, also of honesty and reliance."

Wi-win presented her token and said, "My wish is to be the patroness of constancy, kinship, motherhood, and all feminine things. I also wish for such beauty that Wi shall forever long for my companionship so that I may always remain by his side and aid him in all his works."

Maka presented her token and said, "I long to be the patroness of sustenance, of shelter, of protection, contentment, comfort, and happiness."

Inyan presented his token, saying, "Make me patron of construction and destruction, of offence and defence, of permanency and change."

Wakinyan as Heyoka presented his token and asked for power to combat harmful things, to destroy evil and nourish good, to promote increase and growth.

Tate presented his token and said he most desired to remain the companion of Škan and to do his will, to be free to go or come over the world when and where he wished, and to see all and know all wherever he should be.

Unk said, "Škan, I want my offspring to abide with me in my domain. I want them to do my will. I wish to be free to do as I wish in all my domain. I will be a patroness of all the waters and of all upon or in the waters, but I will not give my token to be held as a pledge to compel me to exercise my powers in any manner save as I please."

Gnas asked for pleasing features and a persuasive tongue and to be patron of plots and schemes.

Škan granted to each, even to Unk, that for which they expressed desire; and he held his own token as a memento binding him to listen to the prayers of his daughter.

When the tokens had been redeemed, Škan said, "So it shall always be, wherever one gives a token it shall be redeemed by granting the desire of the one receiving it."

Škan arose, and, standing, said, "Woĥpe, although you have no token to present, because you have served so that all have had much pleasure and [have] wearied yourself with serving, I will grant you that which you most desire."

Woĥpe answered, saying, "I most desire to do the will of my father so that harmony may prevail at all times and in all places. I wish for all to do that which gives pleasure to others. I want the Gods to enjoy many feasts together such as this has been."

"Woĥpe, your wish is granted. Peace shall follow your footsteps, and the Gods shall enjoy many feasts," answered Škan. "Ksa, you also have no token, but your effort has provided that which has delighted the Gods. What do you most desire?"

Ksa stood and said, "Woĥpe has served until she is exhausted. It is not fitting that the daughter of the Great Spirit should be as a servant. It would be well if there were created those whose duty should be to serve the Gods and do their will."

Then all the Gods shouted, "Nunwe (amen)."

"All the Gods are as one God and that one is Wakan Tanka, the Great Mystery," said Škan. "So as it is the will of the Great Mystery that there should be beings to do his will; such beings shall be created."

Škan assembled the Gods in the regions under the world. There Škan took from Inyan that of which he created bones. Two sets of bones he made alike except that one set was larger than the other. He took from Maka that of which he created flesh. Next he took from the waters that of which he created red blood. Woĥpe then brought him of the white fruits and from them he took that of which he created entrails. He molded the flesh upon the bone and about the entrails and placed the blood in all the parts so that they became two images. Two figures he created, the masculine figure he molded after the pleasing shape of Gnas, and the feminine figure he molded with the beauty of Woĥpe

When Škan had created these, he imparted to each a spirit that is like that of the Gods and but a little lower. To do this he took from himself a nagi, which is a spirit that advises the conduct of each being and he imparted it to each of the forms. He also imparted to each an energy.

Škan then commanded Wi to impart to them warmth. Wi did so, and each shape was warm. Likewise Škan commanded Tate to breathe into each image a niya, which is a ghost that is the breath of life and is a witness to the advice which the spirit gives. Tate blew breath into each shape, and thus gave to each a ghost so that they were alive and breathing, but they were without understanding.

Škan commanded, "Ksa, impart intelligence to these images so that they may know and understand."

Škan then commanded Wakinyan as Heyoka, the patron of increase and growth to impart to each a šicun, which is that which gives power to produce offspring and also gives health and growth. Škan bade Wi-win to make them affectionate one to the other and to Woĥpe he entrusted their longing and love for offspring.

Each did as Škan commanded so that the images had affection for each other, longing and love for offspring, and power to reproduce.

Then Škan instructed the two creations, saying, "Your names shall be Ate (father) and Hun (mother). You have been created to serve the Gods. Therein lies your happiness. Should you ever cease to do so, great will be your punishment. Your home shall be the regions under the world, and the white fruits shall be your food. Your offspring shall be as you are; and as long as they continue to do the will of the Gods, they will be happy, and their increase shall be many. You and your offspring shall be known as the Oyate Pte (Buffalo People). Ksa will instruct you how to live and how to serve the Gods. As long as you do as he teaches, you will please the Gods and receive my favor."

Thus were created the servants of the Gods who live in the regions under the world. The Pte multiplied and became many people who please the Gods, for they obeyed the instructions of Ksa and Woĥpe. Ksa taught them a language, and he taught them how to live and how to serve the Gods. Woĥpe taught them to love their children and those whom they served. Ate and Hun governed them and were obeyed in all things. The Pte were harmonious, and theirs was a happy existence. They became many families, and each family had a lodge with walls for privacy as they felt neither heat nor cold. They had need for neither clothing nor shelter,and the white fruits nourished them. This was the beginning of mankind.

The Gods often sat in their circle to feast, and the Pte served them well, and all were pleased. Wi and Wi-win were at rest in their regions under the world while Han was on the world, and the Pte ministered to them while they were there. They served Wi-win and did for her pleasure. So it came to pass that Wi-win grew haughty, and claimed that the Pte people were her servants. At the feasts she boasted of this and called them her people. The other Gods were astonished because of this, but Škan did not reprove her.

Gnas schemed to cause discord among the Gods. Maka was lonely and jealous of Wi-win because Wi-win had the Pte people to do her will each night-time when she and Wi were at rest in the regions under the world. Maka resented this, and Gnas cunningly pretended to sympathize with her. He spoke softly to her and flattered her, and she encouraged his speech, for he was handsome and had a wily tongue.

"Maka, since you were the first-created Goddess and are one of the four great Gods, part of the Great Mystery, you should have people to serve you and to claim as your people even as Wi-win claims the Pte people. Wi-win is merely an associate Goddess, a creature made by Wi, and yet she has more favors than you. She has wronged you by giving feasts and securing the servants that should be your servants."

"Tell me, Gnas, what shall I do to right these wrongs?" asked Maka, for she was torn with jealousy of Wi-win.

"Give feasts for the Gods, and they will be pleased and will listen to you," advised Gnas. "You can then ask for servants equal to or better than those who serve in the regions under the world."

"But I must give a feast that will surpass any of those given in the regions under the world. Tell me, how can I do so?"

Gnas praised her ambition and told her that in this way she could become greater than Wi-win in the estimation of the Gods.

He said to her, "The Gods have feasted on the icage (white fruits which grow in the regions under the world) and have found them good. I will steal some of these and plant them in the ground so that they will grow and be far better than those fruits produced in the regions under the world."

He did take icage and planted them in the ground, and they grew during a single night and were white fruits of many kinds without leaves, flowers, or seeds. He called them icaga (white fruits that grow in the world).

Then Maka, believing these fruits were good as Gnas said they were, prepared a feast for the Gods. She invited the Gods to partake of this feast and they came. She boasted to them that she had prepared the feast herself and would serve it to them. To each God she served a generous portion of the white fruits. When the Gods smelled these, they had a vile odor.

The Gods looked from one to another, each waiting for the others to taste. Then all tasted, and the taste was disgusting. One after another put the portion aside and went from the feast until only Unk remained.

She taunted Maka and calling her son, Gnas, she joined his laughter at Maka and said, "You have now made yourself so ridiculous that the Gods will hold you in contempt."

Maka covered her face, for she was ashamed.

Unk schemed with her sons, Iya and Gnas, to make Maka more ridiculous than ever.

"We will make tokens of invitation to the feasts of Maka," they said with laughter.

They gathered stones of many sizes and colors, and ground them together, working always near the waters, for they feared Wakinyan, the enemy of Unk. The smallest particles caused by this grinding are the sands of the world. Their smaller particles are the gravels, the larger are the cobblestone, and the largest are the boulders. They scattered these over the world, and then went to the caverns where Maka sat bowed in shame.

Gnas hooted at her saying, "Oh, first-created of the Gods, the sons of her you cast aside would honor you. Lo, we have prepared tokens for your feasts, and lest you may forget, we have scattered them on all your domain."

Maka hid her face, for she was shamed and could not answer them. Thus came the sands and gravels, the cobbles and boulders beside the waters.

Growing Things and Rain

Gnas then came to Maka and consoled her with his insinuating language. He pretended again to be sorry for her and offered her more advice.

"Each of the other superior Gods has his color in his domain. Škan's domain is the celestial blue, Wi has the sacred color red for his, and Inyan the yellow rocks; but your domain remains drab and uninteresting. Because you are feminine you are ignored. Your color is green, and your domain should be as fair with green as the beautiful blue above, not ugly and bare as it is. Wi-win is favored because she is beautiful. If your domain were adorned, you would receive your due in favors from Škan. When the Gods are feasting, demand your rights, people to serve you and color in your domain."

Gnas told his mother what he had done, and she rejoiced, thinking Maka would again make herself ridiculous in the presence of the Gods.

When next the Gods feasted together, Maka stood in their circle and said, "Oh Škan, why should I be ignored among the Gods. Give me people to do my will, even as Wi-win, a mere associate-Goddess, has her servants to give her pleasure. Grant me this, that I may have my color, green, that was decreed for me, to ornament my domain, which is now large and bare and ugly."

The Gods were all astounded except Unk, and Gnas, who laughed, holding Maka up to ridicule. Škan, however, knew all that Gnas had said to Maka. He knew that Gnas schemed to bring trouble and discontent among the Gods. To frustrate the designs of Gnas, Škan determined to grant the requests of Maka. He appointed Ksa, Woĥpe, Tate, and Wakinyan to be the four who must work for the pleasure of Maka. He granted them powers to create such creatures as they would.

These four asked Maka what would please her, and she replied that she wished her domain adorned so that it would be beautiful with green. They consulted together and agreed to create vegetation. Woĥpe and Ksa designed the ornaments so that they should grow from the ground. Four kinds they designed, and many of each kind. One kind was of all kinds of trees, one of all kinds of vines, one of all kinds of shrubs and herbs, and one of all kinds of grasses. After these designs Wakinyan created all green things that grow from the ground and imparted life to them. Tate then planted them with their roots in the ground. Thus was made a forest and a prairie.

Gnas perceived that he was frustrated in his scheme, and he pled with the four, saying, "It was I who first proposed these good works you are doing. Permit me therefore to have a part in carrying them out. Let me at least help in the planting."

They agreed to do so. Tate then gave Gnas some things to plant but Gnas spat on them before he put them in the ground, and they became thorny or their juices poisonous. This was known only to Gnas and to the Great Spirit, who knows all.

So all the lands were decorated. Maka viewed the vegetation and was so pleased that she invited all the Gods to see her adornments. They came and viewed them, and all agreed that they were beautiful. All said, "Wašte-e-e (beautiful)."

Gnas secretly told his mother that he had made some of the plants poisonous, so, more vehemently than the others, she cried, "Wašte-e-e."

Iya having a hunger that no food could satisfy, alone found fault for he ate ravenously of the leaves and herbs. Those that Gnas had planted were poisonous, but Gnas told Iya that those were the most satisfying to hunger. Iya ate of them and was poisoned and suffered pains. He berated Maka and disparaged her adornments. Then Gnas laughed at Iya.

Škan praised the plants and said, "Maka, your plants ornament you and make you beautiful, but each ornament brings care. You must nourish them or they perish."

Then Gnas laughed at Maka.

Gnas said to Unk, his mother, "Wi-win is favored by having the Pte people to serve her, and Maka by having her domain ornamented. You alone are neglected."

Thus he talked to her until she was jealous and dissatisfied. He advised her to demand of Škan that he favor her as he had the others. So when the Gods rested, Unk rose, and said, "Great Spirit, favor me. I am lonely in my domain where there is nothing but the waters. My only pleasures are looking at the adornments on the domain of Maka or receiving service from the Pte people at the feasts of the Gods. Grant me a favor."

"What favor do you desire?" asked Škan.

"If my domain were ornamented as that of Maka, I would be happy."

Then Škan commanded Tate, Wakinyan, Woĥpe and Ksa to appease Unk. Woĥpe and Ksa designed plants of all kinds to grow in the waters. Wakinyan created them, and Tate gave them life and planted them in the waters. The waters washed them to the shore where they grew. No plant in the waters was like any plant that grew on the land. But the water plants grew and multiplied and made the borders of Unk's domain very beautiful. But when they grew, Unk was compelled to give them nourishment. Then Gnas laughed at his mother and said for every pleasure there is an added care and labor.

Unk then boasted to Maka that the plants in her domain grew and multiplied while those on the domain of Maka remained as they were and did not grow.

The Gods knew that Unk intended to annoy Maka, so Ksa, Wakinyan, Woĥpe, and Tate considered the matter, and Ksa said, "To live all must have blood. Škan created blood for the Pte people from water. We have not the power to create blood, but if water were given to the plants perhaps Škan will make it into blood for them."

"My enemy Unk controls the waters, and she is envious of Maka. She will not aid in ornamenting the dry lands," said Wakinyan.

"Škan is just and will approve if you by your might take from Unk that which is needed for the growth of the plants," said Tate.

Then Wakinyan wrapped robes of great clouds about himself and flew over the waters. He dipped the robes in the waters until they were soaked.

Unk saw the robbery and came with Ibom to resist it. Ibom and Wakinyan fought fiercely. Their struggles tore the clouds and tossed the waters in great waves. Ibom roared and smote. Wakinyan bellowed and thundered and glanced flashes of lightning from his eye. Ibom, overcome, fell, and Unk drew him beneath the waters.

Then Wakinyan flew over the grounds and squeezed his robes so that they spilled the waters on all the forest and the prairie, and the lands were made moist. Škan was pleased and caused the plants to draw up the water into their veins, and made it into sap for their nourishment. Thus Wakinyan invented rain and ever since has moistened lands with rain so that all plants may have water for their sap and nourishment. When the lands are wet with rain, the plants grow and flourish.

Flowers, Fruits, and Seeds

When plants first grew on the world they had only stems and leaves that were green. They adorned the domain of Maka, and all the Gods, except Unk, came often to admire and enjoy them. Unk and her two sons, Iya and Gnas, walked on the lands to espy the plants there.

Why should Maka be granted these ornaments while I have only plants at the borders of my domain?" asked Unk.

Then Gnas taunted her and told her she had been treated unkindly by Škan. "If Maka's plants had no water from your domain they would perish," Gnas said.

"If I could only overcome Wakinyan," mused Unk.

"Give me permission, and I will cause his work to come to nought," suggested Gnas.

"Have care that he does not know what you do," warned Unk.

Then Gnas breathed on the grounds about the plants, and they withered, turned yellow, dried, and fell, some quickly, and some after a longer space.

The Gods walked with Maka to enjoy her ornaments and saw that some were withered, and some fallen.

"Plants should have offspring that they may not utterly perish," said Škan.

Then Škan devised buds that would bear seed, such that each plant would bear seed of its kind. Wakinyan caused each plant to bring forth buds to bear its seed, and then, as Heyoka, invited the Gods to view the plants. Woĥpe asked his permission to beautify the seed-bearing products, and he consented that she should do so. She caused the buds to bring forth, instead of leaves, flowers of many kinds and colors, plants of a kind bringing forth flowers alike, and plants of different kinds to bring forth flowers different from those of any other kind. She caused these flowers to be many red, many blue, many yellow, and many white. The Gods viewed the flowers and were delighted with them.

Then Maka said, "At our first feast, Wi gave presents, blue to Škan, green to myself, yellow to Inyan, and kept red for himself. Therefore these colors are symbols, each of the God to whom it was given. These flowers I give, the red to symbolize Wi, the blue to symbolize Škan, and the yellow to symbolize Inyan."

You have named none to symbolize yourself. Because there are no flowers of your color, I declare that white shall symbolize the graciousness of Maka and of Woĥpe, " declared Škan.

All the Gods shouted, "Nunwe."

The flowers fell that the seeds might grow, and Woĥpe, seeing the bare buds, asked permission of Škan to cover them. He consented, and she covered the growing seeds, the covering of each kind of seed different from that of all other kinds. Some covers grew as the seeds grew, so that when the seeds were grown, some of the covers were hard and dry, while others were thick and soft. Woĥpe colored these covers, some red, some blue, some green, and some yellow. The Gods viewed them and tasted them, and ate of them, and were pleased.

Thus plants were perpetuated by flowers, seeds, and fruits.

The Water Lily

When next the Gods were feasting, Unk complained to Škan, "I have been robbed of my waters to give nourishment to the adornments of Maka. Her ornaments are sustained by the waters stolen by Wakinyan, my enemy, from my domain. Her domain is all beautified while only the borders of my domain are lovely with plants."

Škan knew that Gnas incited his mother to jealousy of Maka, so he commanded the four, Ksa, Woĥpe, Tate, and Wakinyan, to appease Unk. They did so, and plants of many kinds grew in all the waters.

Iya was hungry with a hunger food could not satisfy, but his enemy, Wakinyan, guarded all things that grew above the grounds and above the waters. Wakinyan was forbidden by Škan to enter into the waters. Iya, therefore, safe from Wakinyan, fed upon all that grew in deep waters. Hence in deep waters nothing grew above the water, and only the borders of Unk's domain remained adorned.

Gnas said to Maka, "You know that my advice is good, for, because you followed it, your domain is now adorned and more to be admired than any other. Your ornaments are beautiful, but I pity you."

"Why should you pity me? Am I not the most favored of all?" she asked.

Wi-win has deceived you," Gnas slyly replied, "She contrived that you have the ornaments, but they grow into the domain of Wi, and Wi and Wi-win enjoy them as their ornaments while you are burdened with the care of nourishing them."

Then Maka was angry and said she would denounce Wi-win at the feast of the Gods.

Remember the edict of Škan," advised Gnas. "He puts a curse on any who create discord at the feast. Much better appear pleased with your adornments, but tell of the added care and beg Škan for assistance to relieve you of that care."

Then Maka said to Unk, "I shall cause my most beautiful flower, the pond lily, to bloom on your domain as a token of my desire to please you, and when you see it remember that you and your sons are ever welcome to my domain, to the plants, flowers, and fruits thereon, to do with them as you please."

You offer that which is not in your domain. Plants, flowers, and fruits all belong in the domain of Wi," replied Unk.

"Yes," cried Wi-win, "they are in our domain, and we should possess them."

They are supported and nourished by my exertions, and I should control them," said Maka angrily.

Škan smiled as he listened to the Goddesses contend, and when they had ceased to wrangle, he spoke. "All exist for the world, and but for it none would be except Inyan alone. All that makes the world more pleasing shall be for the pleasure of all, both Gods and creatures. Maka shall support and nourish all creatures on the world, Wi shall warm them, and Wakinyan shall give them growth and increase. All the Gods and all their creatures shall take pleasure, each according to his ability."

The Gods all cried, "Wašte-e-e," in approval.

Gnas secretly told his mother that he had made some of the plants poisonous, so more vehemently than the others she cried, "Wašte-e-e."

Ksa came on the high mountain at the edge of the world to the abode of Wakinyan. Wakinyan loved his son and listened to is words.

"Škan foreknows and his words mean that there will be many creatures on the world, and Maka must sustain them. In her domain there is nothing for food but seeds and fruits. Yours is the power to give growth and increase. Make much fit for food so that there will be provision for all that may need," said Ksa.

Then Wakinyan caused parts of many plants to be edible, of some the roots, of others the leaves, and of others the stems. Some to the seeds he caused to be grains and some nuts. He caused many seeds on each plant so that soon there was provided an abundance of edible things, and Maka nourished all.

Insects, Reptiles, Birds, and Beasts

While the Gods were seated in their circle at their feast Maka did as Gnas had advised her.

She stood and said to Škan, "Great Škan, I thank you for the beautiful ornaments you have given my domain. And I thank also Tate, Wakinyan, Woĥpe, and Ksa for creating them for my pleasure. But the care of these beauties is a great weariness to me. You know, Ksa said a Goddess should not be wearied by serving others."

Then Woĥpe said to Škan, her father, "Father, that is true. Ksa spoke thus at our first feast when I became weary serving the Gods. You then created the Pte people as servants for the Gods. Create servants also to relieve Maka of her cares."

Škan knew that Gnas had urged Maka to make these demands in order to cause discord, but Woĥpe's suggestion was in keeping with his plans. He asked Maka what she wished.

They consulted together and Ksa said, "The world that was dry and barren is now beautiful because of plants that grow from the grounds bearing green leaves and flowers of many colors, seeds and fruits of many kinds. Much of the roots, of stems, of leaves, of seed and of fruits are good for food. But no sound is heard on the world, save when a God speaks or when Wakinyan brings rain. Were sounding creatures there, they would break the vast silence, and they would consume the food prepared."

"Tate shall impart vitality to all that Wakinyan creates," decreed Škan.

Then Ksa and Woĥpe designed creatures that have no blood. Four kinds they designed, and many of each kind. One kind have neither legs nor wings; one kind have legs but no wings; one kind have both legs and wings, and can fold their wings; and one kind have both legs and wings, but cannot fold their wings. Wakinyan took soft parts of plants and of these created many kinds of small eggs, two of each kind to produce the creatures thus designed. Tate breathed on them, imparting vitality to them. Tate, Ksa, and Wakinyan scattered them on all the lands. Gnas filched some of the eggs and slyly gathered leaves from the plants that had thorns and prickles. He mingled these with the eggs and scattered them on the lands. Wi warmed the eggs, and they hatched insects of all kinds, two, a male and a female of each kind. The eggs that Gnas scatterdd produced insects that bite or sting.

The insects were hungry and ate the plants. They laid eggs, and these eggs hatched so that insects increased in numbers and became many. Maka viewed them and was distressed for she feared that they would eat all of her adornments. The creatures that hatched from the eggs that Gnas had conjured bit her and stung her so that she sufffered.

Unk taunted her, and Gnas laughed at her. Maka was angered and denounced the four saying, "Instead of creating servants for my pleasure, you have created tortures for me. I demand creatures of flesh and blood to do my bidding."

Woĥpe and Ksa designed reptiles of three kinds, reptiles with tails and legs, reptiles with no tails but with legs, reptiles that have tails and legs and shells. They designed many different varieties of each kind.

Wakinyan then took two eggs from each of many kinds of insects and wrapped each egg with fruits. These eggs contained nourishment which would warm into flesh and blood. Tate, Wakinyan and Ksa then placed these eggs on the ground and covered them with soil, Gnas came and asked to help. Tate gave him some eggs. Gnas conjured with them and scattered them on the lands. Wi warmed them, and they hatched, producing all kinds of reptiles. Those eggs which Gnas has conjured with produced poisonous reptiles.

Maka came to view her creatures. When she saw them they were bare and ugly, and she was afraid of them.

Unk, however, was pleased with the reptiles.

"I also have a domain. Why should all be created for the domain of Maka?" she asked.

"Take them for your subjects. I demand creatures of flesh and blood, clothed so that they will be beautiful, creatures that can walk on the ground as do the reptiles and also fly as do the insects as well as utter sounds by voice."

Thus reptiles came upon the world and are the subjects of Unk, the Goddess of the waters.

Ksa and Woĥpe designed creatures to be clothed with feathers and to have wings. Four kinds they designed, with short beaks not hooked, with short hooked beaks, with long slim beaks, and with flat beaks. Many different creatures of each kind they designed. Wakinyan took eggs of insects and of reptiles, and mingled them. From this mixture he created two of each kind of many kinds of eggs. He took from the ground that with which he created hard shells for the eggs, that the creatures when clothed should be beautiful, Woĥpe adorned the eggs with colors. Each kind of egg she colored different from all other kinds. Then the four made nests of twigs and soft grasses, some large, some small, no two nests alike, a nest for each two eggs of a kind. Some nests they placed in trees, some in shrubs, some in grasses, and some on the ground.

Gnas came and asked to help make the nests. Wakinyan told Gnas to make nests in high and difficult places. Gnas did so and placed thorns in the nests he made. The four then placed eggs in the nests and gave Gnas some of the eggs to place in the nests which he had made.

Wi warmed all the eggs and hatched them. When the creatures were hatched they were clothed with down and were helpless and hungry, crying for food. Maka came to view these new creatures. Unk, Iya, and Gnas came also. They laughed long and loud at Maka and at the four who had designed these creatures.

Gnas taunted them, saying, "Had we helped you design these creatures, they would have been strong and provided with food. As it is they are fit for nothing but to serve as food."

Iya said, "They are just the thing to satisgy my hunger," and he tried to put some of the young things in his mouth. But his arm became stiff, and he could not lift his hand to his mouth.

Woĥpe prayed to her father, and Škan came among them. Škan knew all that Gnas and Iya had done, and he condemned them, imposing this penalty on them.

"Because you, Gnas, have schemed to make Maka ridiculous, you must feed these creatures so that they will grow and become strong. You, Iya, because you would have destroyed these creatures, must gather food for Gnas to feed to them. You, Unk, because you encouraged you sons to do evil, must prepare food for these new creatures."

Unk and her sons could do nought but obey the commands of the all-powerful Great Spirit. While Gnas gathered food the thorns that he had caused to grow tore at him, the poisonous plants poisoned him, the insects stung him, and the poisonous reptiles bit him. Thus he was punished for creating evils.

The arm of Iya was made long and his hand webbed like a net so that at each sweep he could grasp many insects. He attempted to devour the insects which he gathered. But his arm became stiffened like a pole, and he could not bring his hand to his mouth. So he must give the insects to Gnas who fed them to the creatures in the nests.

These creatures were fed and thrived and grew apace. Their down became feathers, and quills grew on their wings and tails. Woĥpe watched over them to see that none were neglected. When the feathers and quills were grown she colored them so that no two kinds were alike. The male and female of each kind she make different. To some she gave brilliant and to some somber colors. Ksa taught them how to build their nests and set on their eggs, and Woĥpe taught them how to care for their young until they were strong enough to care for themselves.

Ksa then taught them as he had taught the insects to make sounds. Their voices were strong, and many were lovely, but some were harsh, and their languages were songs, and each kind of creature sang a song that no other sang.

Maka came to view her creatures and was delighted with them, for they were beautiful and graceful. They greeted her, each speaking its own language, some in a pleasing manner, and some harshly. Those who spoke the harshest were those hatched in the nests made by Gnas. They had beaks that could cut and tear, and on each toe was a talon like a crooked thorn.

Maka said, "I will name these lovely things 'the birds'."

She invited the Gods and Unk and her sons to come and view the birds. All came and were pleased and pronounced the creation good.

Maka said, "Woĥpe, since you have cared for these birds and made them beautiful, I give to you as you subjects all this most beautiful creation."

Unk spoke spitefully, "I was created your associate, and you cast me away from you. I should share in this beautiful creation. You cunningly confer favors in such a manner that you still have them for yourself."

Then Woĥpe said to Unk, "These birds are now mine to do with as I will. Unk, to appease you, I will allow you to choose of them such as you wish, and such as you choose shall be your subjects. I will not impose my will upon them."

Unk chose the cranes, the swans, the geese, the ducks, and the snipes. They became her subjects, but they ever revered Woĥpe as their patron Goddess.

Thus were the birds created and established on the world where they increased, each kind multiplying in its own manner.

Maka talked with the birds and asked each what service it could do; but when she talked of service they flew from her into the air. This enraged Maka and she complained bitterly to The Four.

"You have not made creatures to serve me. You have made only creatures who are dependent on me."

Gnas laughed in glee and taunted The Four, declaring that they could not create anything that would please. Then he cunningly flatterd Maka.

"Because of my advice you have gained many beautiful creatures. Appeal yet again to Škan. He may yet give you creatures which will really be servants for your pleasure and not merely dependent upon you."

At the feast of the Gods, Maka complained to Škan, "Woĥpe, Ksa, Wakinyan, and Tate have made me a joke. They have made the birds which can not serve me and can only fly into the domain of Wi and Wi-win. They will claim them as their own. Cause The Four to create for me creatures different from any that have been created, creatures with flesh and blood, clothed and able to walk upon the earth."

Škan smiled for this was in accord with his prupose.

Inyan then stood in the circle of the Gods and spoke. "I was before there was any other. Long alone in the darkness, my soft mass, though shapeless, was all powerful. Then I thought only to gratify myself with the first of creation. So I became the source of all. I gave of my substance and all my blood and all my powers so that there might be others, and in so doing I shriveled and became hard so that I shall endure forever. She, Maka, the cause of impotency, being young was big with purposes whose benefits I did not foresee. She lashed me with taunts until I consented to the beginning of all other creations. Her aggravating ambition provoked only that which was for the best and was its own cure. Because of her all creatures exist, but none are subject to her. The ancestress of all, none look to her as their patron Goddess. I am contented because I am the ancestor of all and am disturbed only because of the strife of my grandchildren. It has pleased you, Great Spirit, to create the Pte people to be servants to the Gods. Now I pray you, Škan, to make creatures little inferior to the Pte people to be subjects of Maka, but to be for the benefit and pleasure of all alike."

All the Gods said, "Nunwe," and Škan said, "Ho."

Then Škan decreed that the Wakan Tanka should create creatures that should be for the joy of all. All the Gods agreed and again cried, "Nunwe."

Škan assembled on the world all the Gods and all the creatures that breathed and in their presence created the animals. In this manner he created them. He took clay from the ground and substance from the creatures. These he mixed and gave a portion of the mixture to each of the Gods commanding them to mold shapes having four limbs, but having neither hands nor wings.

Wi and Wi-win molded shapes having horns and hoofs, Maka and Woĥpe molded shapes having claws and blunt teeth. Inyan and Wakinyan molded shapes having claws and pointed teeth. But Unk was evil and contrary and molded shapes without limbs.

Škan then commanded Tate to breathe on each shape, and he did so, imparting to each vitality, so that they were flesh and blood and bones. Škan then commanded Wakinyan to clothe each shape and he did so. He covered each one, some with coarse hair, some with fine hair, some with fur, and some with a mixture of these. When he came to the forms molded by Unk, she glared at him so that he clothed these shapes, some with slime and some with scales.

When all were clothed, Škan commanded Wi to warm them, and he did so, but when he came to those covered with slime or scales, Unk glared at him so that he turned from them, and they remained cold.

When Wakinyan and Wi told Škan of the forms shaped by Unk, Škan said, "Unk, because you have disobeyed my command and flaunted my aids, the creatures you have shaped shall be cold while they live."

He then imparted to each shape a "nagila" (little spirit) so that each became a living thing. He commanded Ksa to instruct these creatures, and he did so.

"You are the animals, created to abide in the world and serve Maka," he told them.

He taught each kind of animal its own language and to understand the language spoken by all creatures. He taught them games and amusements so that they lived together as kindred, and none were afraid of the others. They often assembled to enjoy themselves and sang and danced and played games. There was harmony on all the world, and Wakan Tanka was pleased.

When Ksa came to the shapes molded by Unk, he was puzzled because having no limbs they could not move on the ground. After some consideration he said to them, "Because of your shapes you must abide in the waters. There you can utter no sound nor hear any sound, and you need no language. You shall be the fishes, and you shall be the subjects of Unk, who rules the waters."

Thus were animals created on the lands and fish in the waters.

Škan then said to Maka, "Because you have listened to Gnas, who advised you to do that which would provoke the Gods, and because you have continually insisted on more and more demands, you shall forever care for all that exists upon the lands and protect their welfare. These animals and all created things shall know you, Maka, as their grandmother, but they shall be for the benefit and pleasure of all the Gods and for each other."

Maka then bowed before Škan, saying, "I am unworthy of a seat in the circle of the Gods, I have wrought only for my own pleasure. On all my domain are symbols, the gravel and stones beside the waters, reminding me of my folly. The Gods have justly humiliated me. My grievous punishment is just."

Woĥpe stood beside Maka and said to her, "My father has wrought to free you from vanity and from envy. The tokens placed to annoy you shall ever remind you that the greatest pleasure is in pleasing others. Be comforted, for none sit more securely in the circle of the Gods than the humble. None remember an error that is repented. I love and respect you now more than ever before."

Maka again bowed down before Škan and said, "Would that I might have such a one as your daughter Woĥpe as my associate and counselor. If so, I could hope to redeem my lost estate."

My daughter should be subordinate to none save myself," replied Škan.

"My father, by your will I am the patron of compassion. Allow my companion Ksa and me to abide with Maka while she needs us," entreated Woĥpe.

The Gods all Cried, "Nunwe."

"Nunwe," said Škan.

Thus the daughter of the Great Spirit became the associate of Maka.

Fossils, Stagnant Water, the Turtle

Unk complained that her domain was not sufficiently peopled, so Škan granted her powers to create for ther domain such beings as she should desire. She consulted with her offspring, and Iya devised monsters that could abide in the waters and go upon the lands. Unk created such monsters, and they were ravenous, and destroyed every living thing they came upon. Iya followed them in glee, for he took for food all that they left as dead. Wakinyan declared himself the enemy of these monsters that Unk had named Unktehi and attacked them whenever he came upon them. Thus there was continued warfare between Wakinyan and the Unktehi until finally the Unktehi were all destroyed and nothing remained of them except their huge bones that were of stone and never would perish.

Gnas advised his mother to create exceedingly small creatures that would exist in the waters so that when the creatures of the lands drank they would swallow the small creatures who would cause pain in the bodies of the land creatures. Unk created such creatures to live in still waters and named them Mni Watu. Such creatures exist in befouled waters and torment any that swallow them.

Wakinyan destroys the Mni Watu wherever he can come upon them, but he is forbidden to enter the waters, and most of them are thus safe from him.

Unk viewed her domain and was pleased, but Gnas laughed at her and twitted her saying, "With all your creatures you still have none to serve you. Why do you not create a creature to be your messenger and do your bidding?"

Then Unk created a creature with its body inside a shell of bone that protects it from wounds. Its head was like that of a bird, and it had a beak without teeth. Its legs were long and strong so that it could go swiftly on land or swim swiftly in the water. Its tail was like that of the reptiles, and its voice was like the roaring of a great animal. It could breathe either in the air or in the water. It was fierce in its attack of others, and it could enclose itself in its shell so that none would be able to wound it. This creature she named Keya (turtle). Keya was the servant of Unk and did her bidding.

Gnas, to make trouble, said to Iya, "Keya is your enemy and seeks to destroy you."

Silly Iya then attacked Keya, and they fought furiously. Gnas watched the combat gleefully, and when neither could overcome the other he privately told each, "You will be the victor, you can conquer if you only continue the fight."

So Iya and Keya fought whenever and wherever they met.

Wakinyan, seeing these two fighting, withheld his anger against Iya and watched them.

Gnas explained to Wakinyan, "I set these two evil ones against each other so that each might destroy the other, and I am thus aiding you, Wakinyan, in ridding the world of harmful things."

Wakinyan, in order to draw his own conclusion asked Keya, "What are your duties?" To which Keya replied, "I do all as I am bidden to do."

"Since you can live and breathe in the waters which I am forbidden to enter, you can aid me in my work of cleaning the world of evil by destroying the Mni Watu. If you will agree to do that I will not consider you an enemy."

Keya agreed to do so, and Wakinyan promised him a reward, offspring, that he could multiply and become many of his kind. Wakinyan adopted Keya and his offspring so that an image of Keya prevents the Mni Watu from tormenting those who swallow them. For this reason mothers place an image of Keya on the navel of their babies and thus protect them from the bowel troubles that affect babes.

When next the Gods assembled at their feast, they viewed creation. Then the trees and vines, the shrubs and grasses whispered in harmony with the birds, and all insects chirped joyfully. The animals joined their voices to the other sounds, and the reptiles and fishes alone remained silent.

While the creatures sang, the Gods and Goddesses danced and all was happiness and joy. There was music and dancing all that day until Han came upon the world so that all was black, and none could see.

Then Škan instructed Tate that he should ever go and come upon the world to warn the creatures of danger, and Tate moves unhindered in the blackness of Han.

Škan then declared, "Creation is now completed. No further power shall be granted for the creation of any other creature. Each living creature shall propagate its kind and all multiply. Each shall exist for a space and then return to whence it came. Others of its kind shall follow while the world exists."

The Gods approved and said, "Wašte-e."

Thus was created all that exists.