The Hero Twins: A Navajo Story

The Hero Twins

• The story is about the Navajo people, told by Liz Hoyt and Anderson, with art by Marnie Galloway.
• The world was filled with monsters, and Changing Woman, the daughter of the First Man and First Woman, gave birth to twin boys.

The Twins' Journey

• The twins grew quickly, but the monsters noticed and told them to visit their father, the Sun.
• Spider Woman taught them to sing to keep their minds clear, and they carried eagle feathers to protect them on their journey.
• As they sang, rivers and cliffs parted, allowing them to pass.

Meeting the Sun

• The twins arrived at the Turquoise House of the Sun, guarded by Black Thunder and Blue Thunder.
• The Sun put them through many trials, but the wind helped them.

Trials and Armor

• The twins survived the Sun's challenges, including a poisonous pipe, a steam bath, and digging a tunnel under the floor.
• The Sun gave them magical armor, lightning arrows, and stone knives, and dressed them like warriors.

Fighting the Monsters

• The twins set out to vanquish the monsters, starting with the Giant.
• They worked together, with one fighting and the other watching over the Navajo people with prayers.
• They defeated the Fearsome Horned Monster, Monster Eagles, and many others, eventually ridding the world of monsters.

Healing and Reflection

• The twins held a healing ceremony to restore harmony to the world after the fighting.
• The wind whispered to the twins, revealing that there were still monsters left, including cold, hunger, poverty, old age, and more.

Spared Monsters

• The twins spared old age, cold, poverty, and hunger, understanding the importance of these challenges in life.

Conclusion

• The twins laid down their bows, and the Sun built a home in the West where he could rest with Changing Woman.
• The story concludes with a message of peace and harmony.