Американские боги

           Itwillbealongjourney:themoonwillswellandempty,dieandlive,twice,andtherewillbeslaversandbeasts,butIshallguideyouandkeepyousafe,ifyoutraveltowardthesunrise."

           Atsulaspatonthemudofthefloor,andsaid,"No."Shecouldfeelthegodstaringather."No,"shesaid."Youareabadgodtotellusthis.Wewilldie.Wewillalldie,andthenwhowillbelefttocarryyoufromhighplacetohighplace,toraiseyourtent,tooilyourgreattuskswithfat?"

           Thegodsaidnothing.AtsulaandYanuexchangedplaces.Atsula’sfacestaredoutthroughtheyellowedmammoth-bone.

           "Atsulahasnofaith,"saidNunyunniniinAtsula’svoice."Atsulashalldiebeforetherestofyouenterthenewland,buttherestofyoushalllive.Trustme:thereisalandtotheeastthatismanless.Thislandshallbeyourlandandthelandofyourchildrenandyourchildren’schildren,forsevengenerations,andsevensevens.ButforAtsula’sfaithlessness,youwouldhavekeptitforever.Inthemorning,packyourtentsandyourpossessions,andwalktowardthesunrise."

           AndGugweiandYanuandKalanubowedtheirheadsandexclaimedatthepowerandwisdomofNunyunnini.

           Themoonswelledandwanedandswelledandwanedoncemore.Thepeopleofthetribewalkedeast,towardthesunrise,strugglingthroughtheicywinds,whichnumbedtheirexposedskin.