But yellow or red, young or old, after a few days they are very weary of
star land to which they had been taken (one had taken them), and they
wish very much to return to earth. And something happened so as make
them hurry all the more to be able to return (to earth). The star
husbands, being absent all day hunting, say to them: "This flat rock,
the big stone, you must not lift it up;" as before, they obey. (But) the
younger one, so soon as the star husbands have gone away, seeks the flat
rock to open it; she very much wishes to see the hole inside; then, as
she raises it, what she sees is wonderful; the sky is there above the
earth where they had been (had lived); furthermore, they see where they
used to be when they were young, the lakes, woods and rivers. When the
older woman sees this,--they almost break their hearts when they look at
it.
(Now) these stars are very evil minded men, as thus one may think; they
see by means of wizardry that their wives had already looked through the
hole in the sky; they know it when they (the wives) deny it; they give
them permission to return to earth. They say to their wives: "Now
to-night you shall lie together and when you wake, do not hasten too
much to open your eyes; do not uncover (your faces) until the Chickadee
sings and even then do not get up, but still remain quiet until you hear
the Red Squirrel singing; even then again do not uncover your faces;
still keep your eyes closed until you hear Chipmunk (Striped Squirrel)
sing. Then indeed you may leave your bed and look around."
The younger one was impatient; as soon as the Chickadee sounds, she
wanted to jump down; however, the elder one holds her: "Wait, my sister,
till we hear the Chipmunk (Striped Squirrel)." Then she lies still until
the squirrel begins his morning work, begins to chatter (chatters early
and works early); she will not wait. So she leaps down, (and) then also
the elder one; they find themselves indeed on earth, but they came down
on top of a broad tall hemlock tree. They are situated so that they
cannot get down, unless some one assists them.
This now happens, that by each song which the birds sing and the
squirrels, they descend (a little); they approach nearer; to the earth
they approach, as the sun shines (will shine) they approach, but they do
not wait long enough. So they are deserted.
* * * * *