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Show WITH THE HOLY PEOPLE 33 plagues. At Walpi village, the Hopis refused almost immediately. They abused and mocked the Twins. Then the boys unleashed the first of the plagues. Rats came and destroyed the growing corn. When the Hopis saw this, they gave the boys sacred buckskins in exchange for taking the rats away. Although the boys did get rid of the rats, the crops had already been destroyed. The anger of the Hopis again flared up against the Twins. So, when the Hopis at Awatobi village planted their new crop, the boys sent out a second plague. Worms came and ate most of the seeds. In return for controlling the worms, the boys obtained summer-bird feathers and jewels. But then the Hopis grew angry again, so the Twins let loose the third plague. This time a hard wind came and battered the young corn to the ground. In exchange for stopping the wind, the Twins received many fine goods, including woven sashes. No sooner had the wind died down than the people began to abuse the boys again. This time the boys called up a plague of grasshoppers. Despite the Hopi efforts to smoke the insects out, all the remaining corn was destroyed. Then the Hopis plotted with the chief at Awatobi. They would give the boys many offerings of jewels, feathers, and buckskins. When the boys had removed the grasshoppers, the chief would kill them and take the wealth for himself. But after the boys removed the plague, they fled immediately. Though the Hopis chased them, the Twins escaped, protected by the Holy People. When Talking God saw the boys returning, he sent Messenger Yei'ii to meet them. Messenger Yei'ii returned with the news that the boys had succeeded in getting the offerings. The Yei'ii all assembled at Tse nteel. But Big Snake and Giant Yei'ii were not invited because of their tendencies to wickedness. The rest of that first day was spent in making the medicine hogan and the circle prayersticks. The Yei'ii asked Black Yei'ii to sing over the boys. On the fifth day of the sing, the Yei'ii were to divide the offerings. Big Fly (Do'tsoh) had been watching this. He flew to the home of Giant Yei'ii and Big Snake and told them that they were being left out. At this both grew angry. Giant Yei'ii attacked the ceremony with a heavy rainstorm and thunder. All left except Talking God, Black Yei'ii, and the two boys. Black Yei'ii knew that Giant Yei'ii did not care for jewels. Instead he gave him an offering of tobacco. Then the angry Yei'ii withdrew the storm he had sent. |