Juan T’ul, a clever rabbit, repeatedly tricks Ocelot in a tale of mischief and revenge. After angering a neighbor and escaping punishment, Juan deceives Ocelot into enduring castration, holding up the sky, and getting stuck on a magical vine. In their final encounter, Juan sets Ocelot ablaze after luring him into carrying hay. The cunning rabbit survives unscathed, outsmarting his foes at every turn.
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
Trickster: Juan T’ul embodies the archetypal trickster, using his wit to deceive others, particularly Ocelot, leading to various humorous and cunning escapades.
Revenge and Justice: A cycle of retribution unfolds as characters seek to avenge wrongdoings, illustrating the consequences of actions and the pursuit of justice.
Trials and Tribulations: Both Juan and Ocelot face a series of challenges and obstacles, reflecting the enduring struggle and resilience required to navigate adversities.
► From the same Region or People
Juan T’ul (John Rabbit) was very fond of watermelons. A neighbor of his had a very fine patch at which he used to regale himself. The owner of the patch suspected that it was Juan T’ul who used to steal the fruit. Accordingly he lay in wait, and pounced down on him, just as Juan was preparing to grab a particularly fine watermelon. Juan managed to wriggle free, but he was thoroughly incensed with the man, and determined at the first opportunity to get his own back. A few days later he presented himself at the house of the neighbor, requesting the loan of a lighted log, with which to start his fire. By means of a trick he violated the daughters of the man.
► Continue reading…
Some time later the man learnt of what had happened, and determined to have his revenge on the rabbit. An opportunity was not long in presenting itself, and he managed to catch Juan T’ul. He shut him up in a cage, informing him that he was going to castrate him. Juan was left in the cage, while the man went off to heat up a piece of iron for the operation. A few minutes later the ocelot loped up.
“Hello, Juan,” he cried. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m just waiting for a cup of hot chocolate this man is preparing for me,” replied Juan. “Will you take my place? I’d like very much to drink the chocolate, for I know what good chocolate he makes, but I’ve got an important engagement in a few minutes, and I really can’t wait.”
Just at that moment the man, who was heating the iron inside the house, called out to Juan, “Sorry to keep you waiting, Juan, but it isn’t hot enough yet, but don’t worry, it will be just right in a few minutes.”
Juan turned to the ocelot and said, “There, do you see what a considerate man he is. He won’t bring out the chocolate till he is sure it is just perfect. Just open the door and take my place and tell the man you are waiting for the chocolate in my place, as I have an important engagement.” Now if there was one thing the ocelot enjoyed it was a good cup of hot chocolate; so unbarring the door of the cage, he let Juan out and took his place. Juan hopped off without waiting to see what would happen. A few minutes later the iron was red-hot, and the man sent out his son to bring in Juan T’ul. When the son saw that Juan had disappeared and that his place had been taken by the ocelot, he told his father. The man was still in such a towering rage that he was determined to have revenge on someone, even if it could not be Juan.
“Bring him in, whoever it is,” he cried. “I’ll teach him to try and play his tricks on me.”
The ocelot was brought in, and the man, taking the hot iron, castrated him. The ocelot was sent on his way with a parting kick. Ocelot walked off, feeling very sorry for himself. As he was slinking along, an owl hooted at him, mocking him with the words, “What have you done with your testicles?” Ocelot swore a mighty oath to be revenged on Juan T’ul, but Juan always took good care to be out of his way. Ocelot was always on the lookout for Juan, and one day he met him in a cave. Juan T’ul had no time to escape, but as soon as he saw Ocelot coming toward him, he reached up with his front paws, and began to push against the roof of the cave. Ocelot came forward, crying out, “Now I’ve caught you at last! You are going to die this time.”
“But you can’t kill me at present,” replied Juan. “Don’t you see that I am holding up the roof of the world? If I let go now, the sky will fall down, and the whole world will be destroyed.”
Ocelot was very much impressed, for he was very simple, and debated with himself as to what he should do to Juan without causing the sky to fall on top of them. After a minute or two, Juan piped up, “Ocelot, be a good fellow, will you? Take my place for a minute. I must relieve myself, and, as you know, if I let go for a single second, the roof of the world will come down on us.”
Ocelot agreed to take his place for a minute or two. As soon as the exchange had been made, Juan hopped off as fast as he could. Ocelot called after him, asking him where he was going. Juan with a chuckle replied, “I’ve fooled you again. Now you will have to hold up the world till you can find someone else to take your place.”
After he had been holding up the roof for some time, Ocelot began to feel tired. At last when he could hold no longer, he let go one paw with great trepidation. Nothing happened. Then very gently he began to ease off the pressure he was exerting with the other paw. Nothing happened. The sky did not fall down as he had expected, and it gradually dawned on him that Juan had again got the better of him.
Some time later Ocelot ran into Juan T’ul again. This time Juan was amusing himself by swinging on a long elastic-like liana (stakami). As he swung on it, the liana would shoot up into the sky every time he said, “Shrink!” Every time he cried, “Stretch!” the liana would bring him back to earth. When the ocelot saw Juan, he gave a cry of triumph, for he thought that at last he had him in his power.
“This is great fun,” cried Juan. “Why don’t you have a shot at it?”
“I will,” replied Ocelot, “as soon as I have finished with you.” “Well, in that case you won’t be able to,” answered Juan, “for if I once let go, the liana will shoot up into the air, and you won’t be able to reach it again. Have some fun with it first of all, and then you can do what you like with me.”
Ocelot thought this was a good idea. Next time Juan T’ul swung earthward, Ocelot caught hold of the liana, and crying, “Shrink, shrink!” was carried high up into the air. Meanwhile Juan had hopped off as quick as he could. When Ocelot tried to come down to earth again, he could not remember the word to make the liana stretch. He thought and thought, but it was of no avail. In the end he had to let himself drop from where he was high up in the air, and falling to earth, was badly bruised.
The next time Ocelot fell in with Juan, he found him busily engaged in collecting hay.
“Hello,” said Juan. “I’ve got a fine offer for this hay in the village. Why don’t you help me? And we will divide the profits. I am small and can’t carry much at a time, but you have a big strong back, and could carry a heavy load.” Ocelot agreed, and as soon as they had cut a good quantity of hay, Juan piled it on Ocelot’s back, tying it securely with a strong cord. Then before Ocelot realized what was happening, he set fire to the dry grass. The grass blazed up, and Ocelot was burnt to death. After that Juan T’ul lived in peace.
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Dreamtime Whispers 