After a time the younger brother said: “Now, let us go home to our grandmother. People always go home to their own houses and take their families with them.”
“No,” said the elder one, “you must remember that we have been only pretending to be human beings. It would not do to take the maiden home with us.”
“Yes,” said the other; “I want her to go with us. Our grandmother kept making fun of us; called us little, miserable, wretched creatures. I want to show her that we amount to something!”
The elder brother could not get the younger one to leave the wife behind, and like a dutiful wife she said: “I will go with you.” They made up their bundles and started out. It was a very hot day, and when they had climbed nearly to the top of Thunder Mountain, the younger brother said: “Ahem! I am tired. Let us sit down and rest.”
“It will not do,” said the elder brother. “You know very well it will not do to sit down; our father, the Sun, has forbidden that we should be among mortals. It will not do.”
“Oh, yes, it will; we must sit down here,” said the younger brother; and again his wish prevailed and they sat down.
At midday the Sun stood still in the sky, and looked down and saw this beautiful woman, and by the power of his withdrawing rays quickly snatched her from them while they were sitting there talking, she carrying her little children.
The brothers looked around and said: “Where is our wife?”
“Ah, there she is,” cried the younger; “I will shoot her.”
“Shoot your wife!” cried the elder brother. “No, let her go! Serves you right!”