The male became distinguished by
breadth of shoulder, depth of chest, larger bones, and more substantial
form; the female was slighter in chest, slimmer of waist, and the
breadth and fulness of the woman was midmost of the body at the hips.
Then the Moon gave them names; the man he called Bateta, the woman
Hanna, and he addressed them and said:
"Bateta, see this earth and the trees, and herbs and plants and grasses;
the whole is for thee and thy wife Hanna, and for thy children whom
Hanna thy wife shall bear unto thee. I have re-made thee greatly, that
thou and thine may enjoy such things as thou mayest find needful and
fit. In order that thou mayest discover what things are not noxious but
beneficial for thee, I have placed the faculty of discernment within thy
head, which thou must exercise before thou canst become wise. The more
thou prove this, the more wilt thou be able to perceive the abundance of
good things the earth possesses for the creatures which are to inhabit
it. I have made thee and thy wife as perfect as is necessary for the
preservation and enjoyment of the term of life, which by nature of the
materials the Toad made thee of must needs be short. It is in thy power
to prolong or shorten it. Some things I must teach thee. I give thee
first an axe. I make a fire for thee, which thou must feed from time to
time with wood, and the first and most necessary utensil for daily use.
Observe me while I make it for thee."
The Moon took some dark clay by the pool and mixed it with water, then
kneaded it, and twisted it around until its shape was round and hollowed
within, and he covered it with the embers of the fire, and baked it; and
when it was ready he handed it to them.
"This vessel," continued the Moon, "is for the cooking of food. Thou
wilt put water into it, and place whatsoever edible thou desirest to eat
in the water. Thou wilt then place the vessel on the fire, which in
time will boil the water and cook the edible. All vegetables, such as
roots and bulbs, are improved in flavour and give superior nourishment
by being thus cooked. It will become a serious matter for thee to know
which of all the things pleasant in appearance are also pleasant for the
palate. But shouldst thou be long in doubt and fearful of harm, ask and
I will answer thee."
Having given the man and woman their first lesson, the Moon ascended to
the sky, and from his lofty place shone upon them, and upon all the
earth
|