I found a white bean: where did I plant it? In the middle of a garden on a white sandy hill. Strong and tall, the beanstalk grew all the way to the sky; up the stalk, branch by branch, I climbed until I reached the sky. There I saw a son of God tally bees by the basket; from the stingers of his bees I forged a pointed sword, with my pointed sword I slew the devil’s mother. My brown coat was stained, spattered with her blood: I asked Mara1, “Where shall I wash the coat clean?” “Wash it in the river, lad, where nine currents run.” “Tell me, Mara, where shall I spread the coat to dry?” “Dry it in a garden, lad, in the sunlight of nine suns.” “Tell me, Mara, where shall I press the coat smooth?” “Press it where you find, my lad, nine maids with mangles.” “Tell me, Mara, when shall I wear that coat again?” “Wear it on the day, my lad, when nine suns appear.”
FOOTNOTE:
1. Mara is an earth goddess.
