Американские боги

           "

           Tothewestofthem,backinthelandsfromwhichtheyhadcome,wherethesunhadsethoursbefore,therewasaflashofsicklyyellowlight,brighterthanlightning,brighterthandaylight:aburstofpurebrilliancethatforcedthefolkonthelandbridgetocovertheireyesandspitandexclaim.Childrenbegantowail.

           "ThatisthedoomthatNunyunniniwarnedusof,"saidGugweitheold."Surelyheisawisegodandamightyone."

           "Heisthebestofallgods,"saidKalanu."Inournewlandweshallraisehimuponhigh,andweshallpolishhistusksandskullwithfishoilandanimalfat,andweshalltellourchildren,andourchildren’schildren,andourseventhchildren’schildren,thatNunyunniniisthemightiestofallgods,andshallneverbeforgotten."

           "Godsaregreat,"saidAtsula,slowly,asifshewerecomprehendingagreatsecret."Buttheheartisgreater.Foritisfromourheartstheycome,andtoourheartstheyshallreturn…"

           Andthereisnotellinghowlongshemighthavecontinuedinthisblasphemy,haditnotbeeninterruptedinamannerthatbrookednoargument.

           Theroarthateruptedfromthewestwassoloudthatearsbled,thattheycouldhearnothingforsometime,temporarilyblindedanddeafenedbutalive,knowingthattheywereluckierthanthetribestothewestofthem.

           "Itisgood,"saidAtsula,butshecouldnothearthewordsinsideherhead.