Sometime before the creation of the sun, moon and stars, Xpiyacoc and Xmucane, the Framer and the Shaper, and Sovereign and Quetzal Serpent plan to create humans on earth. In the night, their thoughts and plans for what humanity might look like grow bright and clear. Gradually, their thoughts shape the flesh of humanity.

The fox, coyote, parakeet, and raven direct Xpiyacoc and Xmucane, the Framer and the Shaper, and Sovereign and Quetzal Serpent to the places called Paxil and Cayal, where yellow and white maize grows. The creator deities collect the yellow and white maize from these lands and grind them up nine times. They add water to this ground maize and shape the flesh of the first four humans. The maize becomes their flesh while water becomes their blood.

The first four humans are men named Balam Quitze, Balam Acab, Mahucutah, and Iqui Balam.