There was a boy who grew up with his sister in a dry and lonely village. The people of the village spent their time cultivating corn. Part of growing corn in that dry country was coercing the gods to provide rain so that there would be food to last the year. Much time was spent in ceremonies. All gods had to be pleased. None offended. The children had to learn about all the gods. Small images of each god were given to every child to help remember.
Several times a year the gods appeared at ceremonies. The children would watch from the roof tops and talk among themselves. One day the boy was watching big eyed as the gods danced below.
``That's Second Uncle,'' said his sister, pointing at one dancer.
``Second Uncle? No! It is the Laughing God.''
``Silly!'' said his sister, ``Remember the wound that does not heal on Second Uncle's leg? See it?''
The boy looked at the Laughing God's leg and there was the wound. The Laughing God was Second Uncle! His sister laughed at him.
``Boys are such fools,'' she said.
The next year the boy went to the secret ceremony where the gods took off their masks and revealed themselves to the twelve year olds. The boys all looked shocked and surprised as well as pleased that they could now participate in ceremonies and wear the god masks.
Now the boy danced with the gods as a member of the Society of Clowns. Sometimes he would look up at the children watching from the roof tops and he would search each face to try and tell which girl recognized him.