The Corn People, illustraded by José Carlos and translated/edited by Kelly Carlos, is a mix of Aztec and Mayan mythology, and presents a lovely creation story. It’s available on Amazon. It’s a bilingual book, the Spanish on the top of each page, the English translation on the bottom, which I like, even though I can’t pronounce the Spanish at all.
In the beginning there was silence and Heart of Sky was very lonely, so he made planets to keep him company. Heart of Water was his favorite. He asked Heart of Water whatshe thought of their world and she asked that her oceans be opened, allowing land to rise. The land became mountains, valleys and hills covered with tall pines. Heart of Sky made fish, mammals, reptiles, and birds. Both Hearts were happy with so much company, but the creatures couldn’t praise them.
Heart of Sky, with Heart of Water, first created mud people and the wooden people, but neither would praise their makers and were destroyed.
A feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl, came down from the sky and offered to help. He told the Hearts to bring light, heat and order to the world. in the meantime, Quetzalcoatl transformed into ant, dug deep underground and stole corn kernels from Mitlantecuhtli, the Rest Keeper. He brought the kernels back up and planted the seeds, with Heart of Water’s permission. The corn grew, black, red, yellow and white. Quetzalcoatl taught Heart of Water how to grind the corn, add water, and make a dough. The dough was given to heart of Sky who made it into the first people. These people, the Corn People, bowed and thanked their creators.
Quetzalcoatl promised to guide the people, teaching them how to sing, dance and give thanks. Heart of Sky was happy, but told the feathered serpent that the people must take care of his creation, otherwise they would be banished from Heart of Water.
The illustrations are bright and colorful and fit the story well.
I enjoy reading creation stories, so many have pieces in common. I like how the Hearts work together, and care about each other.
Thursday’s Tales is a weekly event here at Carol’s Notebook. Fairy tales, folktales, tall tales, even re-tellings, I love them all. Feel free to join in.
Different, nice