Bibliography
Retold by Bruchac, Joseph. 1993.The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story. Ill. by Anna Vojtech. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803713312.
Plot Summary
When the world was new, man and woman were made at the same time so they would not be lonely. After marrying each other, they lived together happily until the man came home from hunting one day to find his wife gathering flowers instead of preparing their meal. The man became angry and asked if he was supposed to eat flowers. This made the woman angry because she had picked the flowers to share with her husband. Since he hurt her feelings with his angry words, she decided she would no longer live with him and she set out walking through the plain. Her husband tried to catch up with her but he was unable to match her quick steps. His voice calling her name went unanswered because she could not hear him. Unable to catch up with his wife to apologize, the husband finds help in the form of the sun who tries to distract the woman by having berries grow instantly near her feet as beams of sunlight shine down. Her anger dwells inside and she walks past the raspberries, blueberries, and even the blackberries. The sun tries one last time to slow the woman's stride as it shines the strongest beam of light right in front of her feet to make strawberries appear. Glowing like fire, the woman cannot resist and she stops to pick one to eat. The sweetness reminds her of her husband and his love so she gathers the strawberries to share with him only to find him standing behind her asking for forgiveness. Together they eat the sweet strawberries that symbolize the need for kindness and respect for one another. According to the Cherokee, this is how strawberries came into the world.
Critical Analysis
The author's note mentions the origin of this story being found in James Mooney's Myths of the Cherokee, published in 1900. Bruchac, who is of Abenaki heritage, first heard the story from Mary and Goingback Chiltoskey, Cherokee elders from North Carolina. The story is simple and clearly written with no indications that it would be a story specific to the Cherokee culture other than the source notes from the author, and the title. It does reveal closeness to the Earth and nature.The soft watercolor illustrations present few motifs specific to that of the Cherokee culture. Noticeable motifs include the clay pottery, basket shapes, and the rectangular mud hut dwelling. Other than these motifs, the other illustrations could be included in many books about Native Americans. The skin tones, hairstyles, buckskin clothing, and moccasins seem to reflect a monoculture, which does not exist. It would be nice to see more specific details in the illustrations that reflect the Cherokee culture since the origins of this story are from that culture.
Review Excerpts
“This legend explains the origins of strawberries, grown by the sun to help the first man and woman patch a quarrel. ‘Spare text, an uncomplicated story line and gentle illustrations keep this quiet but resonant tale accessible to even the youngest child.’ ” Publisher’s Weekly
“A gentle story of the Sun's healing of marital discord by a gift of ripe strawberries that magically grow at the feet of an angry woman as she flees her husband's harsh words, thus halting her departure long enough for him to catch up and make amends. Thereafter, the story concludes, whenever the Cherokee eat strawberries, they are reminded to be kind to one another. Quietly luminous watercolors capture details of dress, dwelling, implements, flora, and fauna against an open landscape of rolling hills. Small touches dramatize the story's moods: a bouquet of brown-eyed Susans flung to the ground in anger; an empty nest in a pine tree as the woman disappears behind the western hills; the glimmer of a single firefly as man and wife are reconciled. Complete harmony of text and pictures: altogether lovely.” Kirkus Review
Connections
Other Native American stories to enjoy by Joseph Bruchac include:
Bruchac, Joseph. The Earth Under Sky Bear’s Feet. Ill. Thomas Locker. ISBN 9780140564099
Bruchac, Joseph. Between Earth & Sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places. Ill. Thomas Locker. ISBN 9780152020620
Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac. How Chipmunk Got His Stripes. Ill. Jose Aruego & Ariane Dewey. ISBN 9780142500217
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