# How Áhaiyúta and Mátsailéma Stole the Thunder-Stone and the Lightning-Shaft explained — Zuni Folktales

> Chapter companion for Zuni Folktales by Frank Hamilton Cushing.

## What happens

The War-gods Áhaiyúta and Mátsailéma enlist the Centipede to steal the thunder-stone and lightning-shaft from the Rain-gods' altar. They play recklessly with these sacred objects, causing a storm that floods their grandmother's house and drowns her. After burying her, a pepper plant grows from her heart, which they scatter as a new food for humanity. The Centipede is punished by being shriveled into his modern form.

## Themes in this chapter

### Folklore vs. Science

The tale provides a mythological explanation for natural phenomena (thunder, lightning, rain) and the origin of peppers, contrasting with scientific understanding.

### Sacrifice and Consequence

The grandmother's death results from the boys' reckless play, but her heart gives rise to a beneficial plant, turning tragedy into a gift for humanity.

### Transformation and Identity

The Centipede is transformed into a smaller, shriveled form as punishment, and the grandmother's body transforms into a pepper plant.

## Character check-ins

### Áhaiyúta

Elder War-god who helps steal the thunder-stone and lightning-shaft, plays with them recklessly, and inadvertently causes his grandmother's death.

### Mátsailéma

Younger War-god who eagerly participates in the theft and play, hiding the lightning-shaft under his jacket.

### The Centipede

Old Worm-like creature who steals the thunder-stone and lightning-shaft from the Rain-gods' altar; later punished and shriveled by the gods.

### The Old Grandmother

Grandmother of the War-gods who scolds them for their theft and is accidentally drowned when the boys' play floods the house; her heart becomes the first pepper plant.

## Key lines

> “Oh, pshaw, nonsense! We are only going to play a little while with the thunder and lightning.”

The War-gods dismiss the Centipede's warning, claiming they just want to play with thunder and lightning.

_Shows the boys' reckless disregard for the sacred objects._

> “Demons and corpses!” she cried. “By the moon! You have stolen the thunder-stone and lightning-shaft from the Gods of Rain themselves! Go this instant and return them, and never do such a thing again!”

The grandmother discovers the theft and furiously orders the boys to return the sacred items immediately.

_Highlights the grandmother's protective authority and the gravity of the theft._

> “It is well,” said the boys, as they stood one day looking at this plant. “Let us scatter the seeds abroad, that men may find and plant them.”

The War-gods decide to spread the seeds of the pepper plant so that humans can cultivate it.

_Transforms the tragedy into a beneficial outcome for humanity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters/how-haiy-ta-and-m-tsail-ma-stole-the-thunder-stone-and-the-lightning-shaft
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuni_folktales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuni_folktales_se/chapters