title: The Fifth and Final Sun: An Ancient Aztec Myth of the Sun's Origin
author: Shana Greger
description: Grade 1-4-According to this Aztec creation myth, humankind lives in the Age of the Fifth Sun. The first four suns were destroyed by jealous gods; the fifth was born by an act of unselfish sacrifice. Greger's retelling embroiders upon traditional details to create a unique version of this porquoi story about the origin of the sun and the moon. The tale is illustrated with fantastically detailed watercolors, most of which are single page; others are double-page spreads framed by a border of Aztec-style designs. Shapes are outlined with strong, flowing curves. The emotional content of each scene is accented by the use of color-the dying light of the Second Sun turns the sky a dim mustard yellow; bathed in the Fourth Sun's soft white rays, the green and gold fields glow with vitality. Greger's lively, imaginative mixture of pictures and text bring real sparkle to this story, which may be unfamiliar to many young listeners.<br /><i>Mary Jo Drungil, Niles Public Library District, IL</i><br />Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  ![Cover](images/flint.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Wasteland of flint
  
  
    
  
  
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  _( In the time of the sixth Sun - 1 )_
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Thomas Harlan
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Thomas Harlan
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Wasteland of flint
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  From the Annales of Cuauhtitlan
  
  
  In the beginning was the First Sun,
  
  
  4-Water was its sign;
  
  
  It was called the Sun of Water.
  
  
  For water covered the world,
  
  
  Leaving nothing but dragonflies above
  
  
  and fishy men below.
  
  
  The Second Sun was born,
  
  
  4-Jaguar was its sign;
  
  
  This was called the Sun of the Jaguars.
  
  
  In this Sun the heavens collapsed,
  
  
  So that the Sun could not move in its course.
  
  
  The world darkened, and when all was dark
  
  
  Then the people were devoured.
  
  
  The Giants perished, giving life to the Third Sun.
  
  
  4-Rain was its sign;
  
  
  It was called the Sun of Rain.
  
  
  For this Sun rained fire from bleeding eyes
  
  
  And the people were consumed.
  
  
  From the torrent of burning stones,
  
  
  The Fourth Sun was born.
  
  
  4-Wind was its sign, and it was ca