Editing Diné Bahaneʼ (section)

=== Old Age, Cold, Poverty, and Hunger ===
In a few days, {{spell-nv|Naayéé' Neizghání}} had killed {{spell-nv|Tsé Nináhálééh}}, Monster Eagle, and {{spell-nv|Tsé dah Hódziiłtáłii}}, The Monster Who Kicks People Down the Cliff, and {{spell-nv|Binááʼ yee Aghání}}, the Monsters That Kill with Their Eyes.  "Surely the {{spell-nv|Naayééʼ}} have all been destroyed now," said Changing Woman.  {{spell-nv|Níłch'i}}, The Wind, whispered into the ear of Monster Slayer, "Some still survive.  {{spell-nv|Są́}}, the Old Age Woman, still remains.  She looks like a frail creature, but she slowly saps strength with the passing years.  Beware of her."  Monster Slayer said to his mother, "Tell me where I can find the dwelling place of {{spell-nv|Są́}}, The One Who Brings Old Age."  "There is no need for you to seek her," said Changing Woman.  {{spell-nv|Níłchʼi}} The Wind whispered, "She lives among the mountains at {{spell-nv|Dibé Nitsa}}a, the Place of Mountain Sheep."[[File:Naayéé' Neizghání.jpg|300px|thumb|alt=Image of mask of Naayéé' Neizghání from Matthews 1902 text|Mask representing {{spell-nv|Naayééʼ Neizghání}}, Monster Slayer, used in Night Chant Ceremony, recorded by Matthews in 1902]]

When he arrived at {{spell-nv|Dibé Nitsaa}}, {{spell-nv|Naayééʼ Neizghání}} saw an old woman walking slowly toward him, leaning on a staff.  Her back was bent.  Her hair was white.  Her arms and hands were bony.  "Old grandmother, I have come to kill you," he said.  "I do you no harm, grandson," she replied.  "Think it over before you kill me.  Once the people discover that {{spell-nv|Są́}} will no longer slowly sap their strength with the passing of years and finally devour them, they will have no children.  It is better that people should pass on their wisdom and responsibilities to those who are younger, and finally die." "I will spare you," replied {{spell-nv|Naayééʼ Neizghání}}. And he returned without a trophy.

"{{spell-nv|Hakʼaz Asdzą́ą́}}, the Cold Woman, still lives," whispered {{spell-nv|Níłchʼi}} The Wind to Monster Slayer.  "Each year she freezes the earth.  She covers the streams with ice.  She kills the plants so that the vines bear no melons and the stalks bear no corn."  "Mother," demanded {{spell-nv|Naayééʼ Neizghání}}, "tell me where I might find the dwelling of {{spell-nv|Hakʼaz Asdzą́ą́}}."  Changing Woman refused to answer.  But {{spell-nv|Níłchʼi}}, The Wind, whispered, "She lives high on the summet of {{spell-nv|Dibé Nitsaa}}, where the mountain sheep are."  Monster Slayer traveled to {{spell-nv|Dibé Nitsaa}} and found a lean old woman sitting above the tree line without clothing, on the snow.  No roof sheltered her.  Her skin was pale as the snow.  "Grandmother," said Monster Slayer, "I am here to kill you."  "You may kill me," said Cold Woman.  "But once I am dead, it will always be hot on the earth.  The land will dry up.  The springs will cease to flow.  Over the years the people will perish."  Listening to her words, {{spell-nv|Naayééʼ Neizghání}} said, "I will spare you."  And he returned without a trophy.

"{{spell-nv|Téʼéʼį́ Dineʼé}}, the Poverty Creatures, still live," whispered {{spell-nv|Níłchʼi}} into his ear.  They destroy people by gradually using up possessions.  They will leave no tools for anyone to use, and no clothing to wear."  Monster Slayer asked Changing Woman where the Poverty Creatures dwelled, but she refused to tell him.  "They live at {{spell-nv|Dził dah Neeztínii}}, the Roof Butte Mountain," said {{spell-nv|Níłchʼi}}.  {{spell-nv|Naayééʼ Neizghání}} traveled there, and found a tattered old man and a filthy old woman.  Their garments were in shreds, and in their house they had no goods.  They had. no food, no baskets, no bowls.  "Grandmother, Grandfather," said Monster Slayer, "It gives me no pleasure, but I have come to kill you.  Then people will not suffer from want."  "Think a moment," they said.  "If we were to die, people would not replace anything, or improve on their tools. By causing things to wear out, we lead people to invent new things. Garments become more beautiful. Tools become more useful. People appreciate what they have."  Monster Slayer said, "What you say is true.  I will spare you."  And he returned without a trophy.

"{{spell-nv|Dichin Hastiin}}, Hunger Man, still exists," whispered {{spell-nv|Níłchʼi}}. "He lives at {{spell-nv|Tłʼoh adaasgaii}}, White Spot of Grass."  When he arrived there, {{spell-nv|Naayééʼ Neizghání}} found twelve ravenous creatures who ate anything that grew. The largest of them was Dichin Hastiin. "I have come here to kill you," said {{spell-nv|Naayééʼ Neizghání}}. "Then people will not feel the pangs of hunger and they will not starve for want of food."  "I do not blame you for wanting me dead," said {{spell-nv|Dichin Hastiin}}. "But if you kill us, people will lose their taste for food. They will never know the pleasure of cooking and eating. But if we live, they will continue to plant seeds and harvest crops, and they will remain skilled hunters."  After hearing these words, Monster Slayer returned without a trophy.<ref>This version relies on Zolbrod, pp. 263–270. The 1928 version reported by Hastiin Tlo'tsi Hee (pp. 99–100)includes Death and Lice in place of Cold and Hunger.</ref>

When he returned home to his mother Changing Woman, he removed the sheath wherein he carried the stone knife that his father {{spell-nv|Jóhonaaʼéí hataaʼ}} the Sun had given him.  He realized that now his work was done.  He sang:<br />
''Now the enemy slayer arrives''<br />
''From the house of the jagged blades he arrives''<br />
''From where the sharp knives hang he arrives''<br />
''And the treasures he has won are yours, oh you gods.''<ref>Zolbrod, p. 270</ref>