In Navajo mythology, Teelget is one of the Anaye, or “Alien Gods,” and was conceived by a human lady who engaged in dark and sinister rituals. His “father”, in this instance, was an antler. The round, hairy, and headless newborn was so horrifying that it was thrown away, and this horror would later become known as Teelget. We don’t know where Teelget got his moniker, but the “tê” likely refers to his horns. He looks like a huge elk or antelope that lost its head; he’s rounded and hairy like a gopher and armed with lethal antlers. Coyote was his spy, and the two Anaye together devastated the country and slaughtered countless people.
To stop Teelget’s terror, it took the “Slayer of Alien Gods,” Nayenezgani. Armed with lightning arrows, the hero finally located Teelget, who was napping in the centre of a vast open plain. Nayenezgani couldn’t just walk up to Teelget without Teelget noticing. There was nowhere to hide in the vegetation, and Teelget would find him and strike back. Gopher greeted him as he weighed his choices. Why are you here?” Gopher asked. People are scared of Teelget, so no one visits. Nayenezgani convinced Gopher to aid him in his mission to eliminate Teelget. He claimed to know a route to Teelget, and all he wanted in return was the monster’s hide.
Gopher then dug four tunnels pointing north, south, East, and west for Nayenezgani to conceal once Teelget awoke from his slumber, one of which led directly under Teelget’s heart. Under the guise of needing it to line his nest, he even tore out a chunk of hair from near Teelget’s heart.
For Nayenezgani, that was sufficient. He reached the tunnel’s end on all fours, aimed at Teelget’s chest, and let fly with a chain-lightning projectile before ducking into the east tunnel. Teelget infuriated and suffering, used his horns to gouge open the east tunnel, only to discover that Nayenezgani had relocated to the south tunnel. He was able to demolish it and the west tunnel but died after only inserting an antler into the north tunnel.
Because Nayenezgani could not determine Teelget’s status, Ground Squirrel looked for himself. Saying, “Teelget never pays attention to me,” he continued. If he’s deceased, I’ll dance and sing on his antlers. Yes, the ground squirrels still have facial streaks from the day they rejoiced atop the dead monster and painted themselves with Teelget’s blood. Chipmunk plays this part in some story versions by adding a few bands to his back. Nayenezgani took a bit of antler and some liver as souvenirs, but Gopher got right to work skinning Teelget. I will ensure that when the human population grows again, everyone remembers what Teelget looked like because I will be wearing his skin. Shaggy, spherical gophers can now be seen donning Teelget’s old hide.
