This myth explains the origin of rivers on Earth. Initially, water was confined to an underground lake guarded by St. Peter. When a messenger conveyed humanity’s plea for accessible water, God granted permission, warning it would become polluted. The water, eager to explore the world, agreed. Released from the mountain, it formed rivers, bringing fish provided by the Mam, the mountain guardians, to nourish humanity.
Source
Ethnology of the Mayas of
Southern and Central British Honduras
by John Eric Thompson
Field Museum of Natural History
Anthropological Series, Pub.274, Vol.17.2
Chicago, 1930
► Themes of the story
Creation: The narrative explains the origin of rivers on Earth, detailing how they came into existence to benefit humanity.
Origin of Things: It provides an explanation for natural phenomena, specifically the formation of rivers and the introduction of fish as a food source.
Conflict with Nature: The initial scarcity of accessible water represents humanity’s struggle against natural limitations, leading to a transformative change in the environment.
► From the same Region or People
Once there were no rivers on earth, only one big lake, which was underground in a big hill, and the people had to get their water by lowering jars down into a very deep cenote (a deep and wide natural well). St. Peter, who was the lord of the water, wouldn’t allow rivers on earth, as the people would dirty them and churn them up. A messenger passed over the world and asked the people if they were contented and if they wanted anything.
Adam and Eve, the first people, said, “It is bad. The people are increasing, and there is no water except down that deep hole. We would like to see the water on earth.”
► Continue reading…
Then the messenger went to the water and questioned it under the ground in the mountains. The water began to talk to the messenger.
“Where are you going?” he asked the messenger.
“I am going to God,” the messenger replied, “to tell Him the people are dying of thirst.”
“Well,” said the water, “I am getting tired of being hidden here under the mountain. The sun pours down on me through the cenote mouth, and I get very hot. Besides, I would like to see the world.”
The messenger went away and told God what the water said.
“I put him there,” answered God, “so that he shouldn’t get dirty and angry with the people. If he is on earth, the people will wash in him and dirty him, and throw rubbish in him, and he will be angry. Tell him that if he is prepared to suffer all these indignities, he may go on earth.”
The messenger went to the water and told him what God had said. The water was happy.
“I don’t mind all that,” he cried. “I shall be on the move all the time, and I shall clean myself, and I shall see everything.” Then the messenger smashed the rock, and the water began to pour out in four directions. As it poured out, each stream asked the Mam, the owners of the mountain, for some food to give to the people. In one stream the Mam put minnows, in another machaca and another bagre. From that time the people have had fish to eat. That is why one must ask the Mam for fish when one goes out to catch them, for the Mam have them stored in the mountains and send them to feed the people.
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Dreamtime Whispers 