THE TWO OLD MEN
Two old men went hunting. One had an eye drawn down and was called Uk-
kwûnăgi′ta, “Eye-drawn-down.” The other had an arm twisted out of shape and
was called Uk-ku′sûñtsûtĭ, “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-kwûnăgi′stĭ—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′sûñtsûtĕtĭ′—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.
Source:
Myths of the Cherokee, James Mooney
