The Naughty Grandchildren
: PIMA TALES: Indian Legends Retold
An old woman had set her pot on the fire with the soup for dinner, and
as her two grandchildren were playing near, she cautioned them not to
upset the pot. The boy and girl were in a frolicsome mood, chasing one
another with shouts of laughter; and as they ran they heedlessly
struck against the pot, which rolled over and broke in pieces,
spilling the rich broth into the ashes.
Now when their grandmother saw the mischief they had done in spite of
her warning, she caught and whipped them both. Thereupon the children
determined to run away.
As soon as she missed them, the old woman followed the runaways out
into the desert, calling loudly upon them to come back, for she had
only punished them for their own good and loved them both dearly.
However, run as fast as she might, she could never come up with them.
The two children were never seen again; but it is said that they were
turned into two giant cacti and still stand side by side upon the
plain.
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