Reading Notes: Myths of the Cherokee, Part B

So far this week, I have enjoyed reading from our Native American Stories unit. Specifically, I am reading Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney, which I chose due to my interest in Cherokee culture - a result of growing up in Oklahoma. In my reading, I have been exposed to both old and new stories, many of which have great potential for reinterpretation for this week's writing assignments.

Today, I enjoyed reading a Cherokee legend called The Race Between the Crane and the Hummingbird. In this story, reminiscent of the Tortoise and the Hare, the Crane and the Hummingbird are racing to win the love of a beautiful woman. The ending upset me; I might like to reimagine the story in a new and more pleasant way.

The Crane

The Race Between the Crane and the Hummingbird
Both birds were in love with the same beautiful woman. The woman wanted to be with the Hummingbird, as he was fast and beautiful, and the Crane was ugly and slow. Nonetheless, the Crane was determined to win the woman's hand, and continued to pursue her. Ultimately, the woman decided to challenge the two birds; the winner would be her partner. She chose to make them race, trusting that the speedy Hummingbird could easily win. Little did she know, the Crane could fly much longer without resting.

The birds begin flying around the world in a race. The Hummingbird is beating the Crane easily, and stops to rest for the night. The Crane keeps flying, and passes the Hummingbird before midnight. The Hummingbird awakens and overtakes the Crane again, but the cycle continues until the Crane is well in the lead. When the Crane wins, however, the woman refuses to marry him, preferring loneliness to the Crane's lack of beauty.

My issue with this story is that the woman's choice was entirely unfair to the Crane. He worked hard to gain her favor, followed her instructions, and was successful. Still, she would not marry him. Ultimately, I am uncomfortable with the story ending with a lack of justice. If I were to rewrite the story, I would either change the heart of the woman so that she loves the Crane in the end, or I would curse her for breaking her agreement for shallow and selfish reasons.

Reading Notes: Myths of the Cherokee, Part A

This week, our reading unit for Myth and Folklore is Native American Stories. Having lived all of my life in Oklahoma, I am familiar with many myths and legends of the Cherokee people. I decided to read the Myths of the Cherokee unit, written by James Mooney, this week, to refresh my current knowledge, and potentially learn more Cherokee legends with which I was previously unfamiliar.

In today's reading, I was drawn to one particular story, called The Moon and the Thunders. In one portion of the legend, readers learn how the moon got its spots. I was displeased with the direction the original story took, and am interested in rewriting it this week.

The Moon

The Moon and the Thunders

This legend begins by describing the Sun and Moon as brother and sister. The Sun is a maiden that lives in the east, while the Moon, her brother, resides in the west. The Sun is being courted by a mysterious suitor, who comes to visit her once a month. The suitor only visits in the dark, so the Sun has never seen his face, and does not even know his name. The Sun decides that she will discover her suitor's identity by secretly smearing ashes on his face, and looking for them again the next day. 

The Sun succeeds in her plan, and is shocked the next evening to see ashen spots on the face of her brother, the Moon. The Moon is ashamed that his sister has learned the truth, and begins avoiding her by staying far behind her, and remaining only a thin ribbon when he is forced to come close. 

I had several hangups with this story, especially the implication that the Moon was hitting on his sister! I will need to do more research to learn if such intermarriage is common in Cherokee tradition, in which case, the Moon's romantic interest in his sibling would make more sense. Regardless, if I rewrite the story, I will probably change the relationship between the Sun and the Moon so that their romance is more traditional, and may even allow them to find happiness, in place of an uncomfortable situation.