Chapter 2 - North to the Back Door (pp. 37-38)
Hay-ya, hay-ya, mel-lo ...
So the people began their migrations, climbing up a high mountain. They were accompanied by two insect people resembling the katydid or locust, the máhu [insect which has the heat power]. On top they met a great bird, the eagle. One of the máhus, acting as a spokesman for the people, asked the eagle, "Have you been living here very long?"
"Yes," replied the eagle, "since the creation of this Fourth world."
"We have traveled a long way to reach this new land," said the máhu. "Will you permit us to live here with you?"
"Perhaps," answered the eagle. "But I must test you first." Drawing out one of his arrows he was holding in his claws, he ordered the two máhus to step closer. To one he said, "I am going to poke this arrow into your eyes. If you do not close them, you and all the people who follow you may remain here."
Whereupon he poked the point of the arrow so close to the máhu's eye it almost touched, but the máhu did not blink. "You are a people of great strength," observed the eagle. "But the second test is much harder and I don't believe you will pass it."
"We are ready for the second test," said the two máhus.
The eagle pulled out a bow, cocked an arrow, and shot the first máhu through the body. The máhu, with the arrow sticking out one side of him, lifted the flute he had brought with him and began to play a sweet and tender melody. "Well!" said the eagle. "You have more power than I thought!" So he shot the other máhu with a second arrow.
The two máhus, both pierced with arrows, played their flutes still more tenderly and sweetly, producing a soothing vibration and an uplift of spirit which healed their pierced bodies.
The eagle, of course, then gave the people permission to occupy the land, saying, "Now that you have stood both tests you may use my feather any time you want to talk to our Father Sun, the Creator, and I will deliver your message because I am the conqueror of air and master of height. I am the only one who has the power of space above, for I represent the loftiness of the spirit and can deliver your prayers to the Creator."
Ever since then the people have used the feathers of an eagle for their prayer-feathers or páhos, and sing to a sick child, knowing that the sweet power of music will help to heal him.
