According to legend, stone boats found in forests are remnants of the P’us, tiny folk who thrived with the help of a magical, inexhaustible chest. Neglecting to worship God, they faced a divine flood. Anticipating the deluge, they crafted stone boats, believing them impervious to decay. Tragically, stone does not float, and the P’us perished, leaving their vessels scattered across the woods.
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: This story ties to the theme of creation as it reflects an ancient understanding of how divine forces interact with and shape the mortal world. The flood serves as a transformative event that resets or alters the balance of existence, a recurring motif in many creation myths.
Origin of Things: The story provides a cultural explanation for phenomena or beliefs, such as why reverence to divine powers is necessary or why humanity might fear the consequences of neglecting sacred duties. This aligns with myths that aim to explain traditions or natural events.
Divine Intervention: The flood is a direct act of divine will, sent as punishment for the P’us’ failure to worship God. This showcases how gods or higher powers influence human (or, in this case, non-human) affairs, asserting their control over creation and morality.
► From the same Region or People
Often when hunting in the forest one comes upon old rubbing stones that have no legs. They are not really rubbing stones, although our people often take them home and use them as such. They are the boats of the tiny folk — the P’us.
Long ago these little people lived very happily, for they possessed a magic chest, from which issued an inexhaustible supply of everything that they needed. On account of this they forgot to worship God. God sent a flood to destroy them. They knew beforehand that there was going to be a big flood, but they did not know when it would come.
► Continue reading…
Accordingly they made themselves little stone boats, so that they would not rot in the wet season, as might have happened if they had made them of wood.
When the flood came, they got into their stone boats, but they were all drowned as the stone would not float. There they lie to this day in the woods, often near holes in the ground where they sank when the big flood swept everyone away.
Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page
Dreamtime Whispers 