Myths and Legends Beyond Our Borders/Making the Sun
MAKING THE SUN
THERE was a time of darkness on the young earth, when the air was thick and damp and winds blew keen, when deep waters covered the valleys and strange creatures wallowed in the ocean slime, when faint forms of light appeared in the sky, though men could see little by them, when men were hungry, chilled, and sad. Wearying of this state, the earth gods built a temple on a tall place and called on the higher gods for light, begging also that the waters might be drawn off a little, so as to leave more foot-room. They prayed long, they offered sacrifices, they expressed humility, and sought commiseration by cutting themselves with stone knives. In time the waters drew away and there was light. Then came a hurricane that swept off trees, mounds, houses, and those people who had not hidden from its violence in caves, and the darkness brooded once more. No lamp had shone in heaven for many years, and the gods gathered at last at Teotihuacan, less than twenty miles from Mexico, and made a great fire, while they debated what should be done to make the land more happy. At last they told the people who had fallen prostrate about them that if any one would cast himself into the fire he should receive worship and honor, and win a place in the sky, as a sun.
One of the men, Nanahuatzin, advanced with reverences, and begged that he might be light-bearer for the world. His request was granted. With a cry of farewell to his people he plunged into the blazing mass. The flames eddied about him, vast showers of sparks went up, and the heavens were overcast more blackly than before. Now the people turned their backs to the fire and began to peer this way and that, curiously, eagerly, for in the long time of darkness they had forgotten where the east and the west lay, and even what the sun was like. At last came a bright star, heralding the dawn, and then all voices cried, "There!" It was in the east. Then the people implored the god whose sign is the snake to make an end of the fogs and coldness, and change Nanahuatzin, according to the promise. Soon a green light appeared, edging the horizon against the sky; it heightened and cleared, and in a joy the people danced, with faces toward the east, holding high their pans of smoking incense, and presently they dropped forward, for the sun was up. At first he gave little heat, for the mist hung about him, the earth dried slowly, and the people sang a hymn lamenting all who had died in the dark. "We, indeed, have seen the sun, but now that his light appears, what has become of them?" At each rising the sun grew warmer, the ice left the ponds, the plains dried and became green, birds sang and animals gambolled in delight; and, always keeping their faces toward the sun, the people forgot their other gods. When, at length, they turned to Teotihuacan, lo! those other gods were figures of stone. The sun had petrified the beings from whom he had gained his power, and, forgetting their dead divinities, the people gave all their worship to the new one, the source of life.