Mistreated

NOW we shall relate the tale of the birth of Hunahpu and Xbalanque.

THIS, therefore, is the account of their birth that we shall tell. When the day
arrived, the maiden Lady Blood gave birth. The Grandmother did not see it when they
were born, for these two arose suddenly. Hunahpu and Xbalanque were their names.
They arose in the mountains, but when they were taken into the house they did not sleep:

“Take them away and abandon them, for truly shrill are their mouths,” said the
Grandmother.

Thus they were placed on an anthill, and there they slept blissfully.

Then they were taken out again and placed on a thornbush. This was done by One
Batz and One Chouen, for they would have had them die there on the anthill and on the
thornbush. They wanted this because of the treachery and jealousy of One Batz
and One Chouen.

Thus at first their younger brothers were not accepted in the house. They were not
known. Therefore they just grew up in the mountains.

Now One Batz and One Chouen were great flautists and singers. They had grown
in greatness. They had passed through great affliction and misfortune, and thus they had
become great. They were sages. They were not only flautists and singers, but they had
also become writers and carvers. Everything they did was successful for them.

For they knew of the circumstances of their birth, and certainly they were
ingenious. They were the substitutes for their father who had gone to Xibalba and had
died. Thus One Batz and One Chouen were great sages. In their hearts, they knew
everything from the first, even before their younger brothers were created.

But nothing ever came of these enchanted abilities because of their envy. The
abuses born in their hearts merely fell upon their own backs and nothing came of
them.

Thus they were ignored by Hunahpu and Xbalanque, who went out every day
to hunt with their blowguns. They were not loved by their grandmother, nor by One Batz
and One Chouen. Nor were they given any food. When meals were prepared for them,
One Batz and One Chouen would eat it all before they returned.

But they did not become enraged or angry. They tolerated it, for they knew
their own nature, and this was a light by which they could see.

Thus when they returned each day, One Batz and One Chouen would take away
their birds and eat them. They did not give anything to the twins, Hunahpu and
Xbalanque. One Batz and One Chouen merely played the flute and sang.

Then one day Hunahpu and Xbalanque returned without bringing any birds. The
Grandmother was enraged because of this:

“What is the reason that you have not brought any more birds?” Hunahpu and
Xbalanque were asked.

“This is why, our grandmother. Our birds are just stuck up in the top of the tree,”
they said. “There is no way to climb to the top of the tree to reach them, our grandmother.
Therefore we would like our older brothers to go with us to bring down the birds,” they
said.

“Very well,” said their older brothers. “We will go with you at dawn.”


- Popol Vuh