Question

read the passage from \the beginnings of the maasai.\ our relationship with enkai is essential to the tribe. enkai is neither male nor female. the sky god is powerful, but can change from nurturing to vengeful depending on our behavior. sometimes enkai is enkai narok, the black god, happy with us and blanketing the sky with dark clouds that pour out rain to nourish the plains. when angry, though, enkai becomes enkai nonyokie—the red god. in these times, the sun grows incredibly hot until the earth dries up and becomes barren. because of this, we work to keep enkai happy. why is this excerpt a good example of a feature often found in a myth?
○ it features a reference to the earth.
○ it features a reference to the sky.
○ it features a reference to the origin of the tribe.
○ it features a reference to a supernatural being.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the excerpt and the options:

1. Option 1 (reference to the earth): The passage mentions the earth drying up, but this is a result of Enkai's anger, not the main feature of a myth here. Myths often involve supernatural beings, not just earth references.
2. Option 2 (reference to the sky): The sky is mentioned, but again, the key element in myths is usually supernatural beings. The sky is part of Enkai's domain, not the core feature.
3. Option 3 (reference to the origin of the tribe): The passage talks about the tribe's relationship with Enkai, not the origin of the tribe. There's no information about how the tribe started.
4. Option 4 (reference to a supernatural being): Enkai is described as a sky god, a supernatural being with different forms (Enkai Narok, Enkai Nonyokie) and powers (nurturing or vengeful). Myths commonly feature supernatural beings, so this matches.

Answer:

D. It features a reference to a supernatural being.