Native American Legends
The Two Old Men
A Cherokee Legend
Two old men went hunting. One had an eye drawn down and was called
Uk- kwûnägi'ta, "Eye-drawn-down." The other
had an arm twisted out of shape and was called Uk-ku'sûñtsûtï,
"Bent-bow-shape."
They killed a deer and cooked the meat in a pot. The second old
man dipped a piece of bread into the soup and smacked his lips as
he ate it. "Is it good?" said the first old man.
Said the other, "Hayû'! uk-kwûnägi'stï
(Yes, sir!) It will draw down one's eye."
Thought the first old man to himself, "He means me."
So he dipped a piece of bread into the pot, and smacked his lips
as he tasted it.
"Do you find it good?" said the other old man.
Said his comrade, "Hayû! uk-ku'sûñtsûtëtï'
(Yes, sir!) It will twist up one's arm."
Thought the second old man, "He means me"; so he got
very angry and struck the first old man, and then they fought until
each killed the other.
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