The almighty ruler Khunabku considered the creation of the world completed. He called all the gods - the lord of the caves and dungeons Hunahau; the silent god of the dead Xibalba; Ek Ahau - a black commander who always participates in the campaigns of the god of war; the lord of VodChaka; the lord of the winds of Huracan; Shaman Ash, who accompanies the merchants on their journey; the four Bakab brothers, who holds the four corners of the Universe on his shoulders; goddess of the rainbow Ish Chel; the mistress of the Moon - the patroness of fishermen, rivers and lagoons. He ordered all of them to take care of the preservation of the Universe.
And this is what turned out to be true. From under the third corner of the Universe, covered with white clouds, the third of the Bakab brothers spoke. He warned Hunabka that his best creation - man - was dying solely due to the persecution of Uchihu, Coyote's traitor. A man quickly runs away through clearings and arable fields, swims across rivers, climbs trees, climbs to the top - and is always pursued by Coyote.
And other gods confirmed the words of one of the Bakab brothers. And the mistress of the Moon added that Utihu, burning with the desire to destroy man, convened the inhabitants of the forest and proposed not to recognize the power of Hunabku. Most supported him, especially Jaguar, Crocodile, Ocelot and Snake. But others, fearing the wrath of Hunabku, followed the wise Takutzin and did not agree.
Then Hunabku called Coyote to him and promised that he would allow him to eat human flesh if he did not eat anything for a whole vinal (year).
The very next morning Coyote began a hunger strike. The first days without food seemed like an eternity to him. But he held on with all his might and drank only clean water from the springs.
And so, when there were only eight days left before the end of the term, the crafty Takutzin came to Coyote and began to tempt him to eat his fill, promising to hide his offense from Hunabku - by carefully brushing his teeth, washing them with clean water and rubbing them with vanilla for the smell.
The hungry Coyote climbed with Takutzin into a maize field, where Coyote ate his fill of the most tender and best grain. Then he took Utiha to the bank of the stream, thoroughly washed his mouth and rubbed his fangs with vanilla.
But at the same time he slowly shoved a fiber of maize leaf between his teeth.
And so Coyote came into the green thicket of the jungle to appear before the gods. He had to show them his mouth.
Confident that his throat was properly washed, and knowing that the easiest thing in the world was a lie, Coyote opened his mouth so that the corn fiber became visible.
Khunabku discovered this and became furious.
- Go away Coyote! - he told him, pointing to the mountains. “Because you tried to deceive me, I condemn you to eternal hunger, and man will become your most sworn enemy.”
Ashamed, with his ears drooping and his tail between his legs, Coyote went to Takuatzin's home to find him and punish him for his treason. But the cunning man, guessing what had happened, managed to convince the poor fellow that he had no need to be upset. And when Coyote calmed down, he offered the following:
“Listen, Coyote, your fault is that you opened your mouth too much.” Don't be angry, but help me hold the images of the Sun and Moon better. In the meantime, I’ll go look for a few people so you can fill your belly with meat.
Hoping to eat something tasty, Uchihu agreed and released his wise friend. Takuatzin promised out loud to the gullible Coyote to go in search of the human creature, but to himself he never stopped laughing at him.
At dawn the next day, Takuatsin met a young man picking pumpkins. He approached him and politely said:
- Man, come with me. I'll show you your sworn enemy. Now he cannot do anything to you, since he holds the Sun and Moon. Before releasing him, force him to agree to your terms and obtain a promise not to persecute any more children of the divine lord Hunabku.
The man agreed, took his bow and went to the place indicated by the little beast, where Coyote was sticking out under the images of the Sun and Moon. He approached him and said:
- Hey, Coyote! Why are you holding my mother and my father on your back? Know that, being the son of both, I will never allow them to rest on the dirty sides of such a creature as you. I will kill you for your impudence and disrespect.
Having said this, the Man raised his bow and arrow. Coyote got terribly scared and began to beg:
- Forgive me, beautiful son of Itzamna, grandson of the great Khunabku. Save my life and ask for whatever you want.
And then the young man, remembering Takuatzin’s advice, hid his bow and arrows and, taking advantage of the opportunity, demanded that Coyote never touch people again. He seems to sometimes forget about his promise. But, as the creator of life and light believes, he does this solely so that good can always resist evil - after all, everything has a beginning and an end, and only wisdom has no limit.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru