Reading Notes: Cherokee, Reading B

The Crane and the Hummingbird

  • Another version of slow and steady wins the race
  • I like the ending with the woman saying no the the marriage with the crane
  • New idea: include a story where the woman participates?
  • Able to describe various landscapes
  • Make the bird a whippoorwill maybe? If a huhu can't, a whippoor will
  • Plot:
    • Daughter marries a "hard" worker
    • Man: disappears during the day
      • Turns out to be a lazy huhu
        • shews him from the house


Image information: Whippoorwill: Migratory Bird

Bibliography:
The Crane and the Hummingbird. Story source: Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney (1900)
The Huhu Gets Married. Story source: Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney (1900)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 15 Story: How the Skunk Gained its Stripes

Image
Skunk wandered the forest floor, searching for food to  soften the rumbling of her empty stomach. But she could barely focus on this task because she was afraid - afraid of what lies in the dark patches under bushes, afraid of the noises the forest animals make, and afraid to make a sound. Wanting to be rid of this crippling fear, she journeyed to the top of a snow capped mountain to convene with the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit appeared in the form of a swirling wind, carrying leaves and snow, towering over the shaking body of fearful Skunk. The Great Spirit spoke, "Little one, what brings you to the top of the world?" Skunk felt the caress of the breeze as the words reached her ears. "I am afraid, Great One. I'm afraid of my own footsteps. Will you grant me the might of the big cat that walks the forest?" The Great Spirit thought about the request before replying, "That might belongs to the powerful Lynx, but I can grant you sharper teeth and...
Read more

Extra Credit Reading Notes: Leopard Story

Image
Tasks Done for a Wife Remembers the story of his brother, cousin - some relative Seeking marriage - dowry paid by a suiter for my daughter First Elephant - failed Gorilla - came back "disgusted" Hippopotamus - thought he would succeed because of his size and strength Everyone failed - only Leopard and Tortoise left both believed in themselves despite the failure of others Gold diggers! Leopard went first failed audience still doesn't know what the tasks are Tortoise tried them and did them all cracked calabash filled with water mended it with the gum of the Okume (mahogany tree) pick fruits from the top (slippery, soapy trunk - couldn't climb it) dug up the tree - didn't cut it down technically Did three more tasks set my the merchant's assistants Now he can marry the daughter! Leopard (Njega) sees that Ekaga has been gone for 5 days - wonders if the task has been completed "If Ekaga succeeds in getting that wife, I will t...
Read more

Week 14 Story: Bedtime Stories of Bala Lake

Image
Brenin walked up the stairs to their kid's bedroom, thinking about their long day at work. Two people had asked them about their pronouns and identity today; it was emotionally draining. Sometimes Brenin wished their coworkers and friends would do some of that educational work without relying on them. Before starting at their new job, Brenin's goal was to foster an inclusive work environment; first by encouraging people to say their pronouns when introducing themselves. There was more push back about this than they had imagined. They pushed those thoughts to the back of their head as they knocked on Alun's door, smiling at their child pushing books and toys back onto the shelf.  "Za! Can you tell me one of your bedtime stories tonight? I already put up all of the books!"  Brenin shook their head, wondering for the 100th time how Alun's nickname for them became a shortened version of pizza.  "Sure, kiddo. Hop up and lay down. I'll tell ...
Read more