[Manta-bugs] not worship me, you will become a poor man. Remembe

[Yanagida <rej...@ap...>]

The tiger burst his inside in the attempt. For this reason there are no
tigers in Aino-land. For this reason, also, foxes are crafty and
eloquent even at the present day.--(Written down from memory. Told by
Ishanashte, 27th November, 1886.) xv.--_The Punishment of Curiosity._ In
very ancient days, when the world had just been made, everything was
still unsettled and dangerous. The crust of the earth was thin, and all
was burning beneath. For this reason the people did not dare to venture
outside of their huts even to obtain food: for they would have scorched
their feet. So they were fed by the god Okikurumi, who used to fish for
them, and then send round his wife Turesh with what he had caught. But
he commanded the people to ask no questions, and never to attempt to
look at Turesh's face. But one day an Aino in one of the huts was not
content with being fed for nothing, and disobeyed Okikurumi's commands.
He wished to see who the woman was that came round every day with food.
So he waited till her hand was stretched in at the window, seized hold
of it, and pulled her in by main force. She screamed and struggled; and,
when she was inside the hut, she turned into a wriggling, writhing
dragon. The sky darkened, the thunder crashed, the dragon vanished, and
the hut was consumed by lightning. Okikurumi was very angry at what the
man had done. So he left off feeding the people, and went away, none,
knew whither. That is why the Ainos have been poor and miserable ever
since that time.--(Written down from memory. Told by Kuteashguru, July,
1886.) xvi.--_How it was settled who should rule the World._ When the
Creator had finished creating this world of men, the good and the bad
gods were all mixed together promiscuously, and began disputing for the
possession of the world. They disputed,--the bad gods wanting to be at
the head of the government of this world, and the good gods likewise
wanting to be at the head. So the following arrangement was agreed to:
Whoever, at the time of sunrise, should be