THE FIRST STRAWBERRIES: A CHEROKEE STORY

Bibliographic Information:
Bruchac, Joseph.  1993. The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story.  Ill. by Anna Vojtech. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.  ISBN 0-8037-13312.

Summary:
This story tells not only of the creation of the first strawberries, but of the first man and woman. They lived together happily for a long time until their first quarrel when the woman became angry and left the man.  The woman walked hurriedly away with the man following her but unable to catch up so the Sun took pity on him and created beautiful berries in attempts to get the woman to stop and notice.  It was only when the first strawberries were created that she took pause, stopping to taste them.  The sweetness of the strawberries reminded her of the sweetness of the love she had shared with the man so she lingered to pick some to take back home to him.  He was able to catch up to her and they shared the berries and forgave one another.  The creation of the strawberry subsequently reminds all Cherokee people of the sweetness of friendship and respect.

Critical Analysis:

The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story is simply a beautiful example of traditional literature in both narrative and illustrative aspects.  The story is first and foremost a creation story as it tells us not only about the creation of the first strawberries (as well as other berries) but also about the creation of the first Cherokee man and woman.  I found it very interesting that Bruchac writes that they were “made at the same time” rather than the usual Christian creation story about woman coming from a man’s rib after he was created first.  If they were created at the same time, this would imply they were inherently equal and valuable.  That idea comes full circle at story’s end when they forgive each other, neither holding the other in any kind of emotional debt. 

This idea of equality underlies the entire narrative as it is the man’s return home to find the woman not cooking that starts the quarrel that separates them for most of the story.  She was out picking flowers – a task that might be considered frivolous to the man but one she had assigned importance and value to so that she and he could both enjoy the flowers’ beauty later.  When he becomes angry and cold toward her, scolding her for this choice, she asserts herself by telling him his words have “hurt” her and says “I will live with you no longer.”  The notion that she should’ve been doing what he wanted rather than what she felt was important at the time angered her and caused her to choose to leave the man’s company.  There appears to be a natural, inborn preference for egalitarian relationships since we have been told this is the first man and woman and this was indeed her reaction to the man’s assertion of control.  Again, Bruchac seems to be saying that equality, fairness, balance, give and take – whatever term you choose – is vital and has been since the first people.

Love of the earth and the sun’s direct involvement in creating the variety of delicious berries to attempt to gain the woman’s attention is another powerful aspect of the story.  The illustrations are gorgeous and range from showing everything from the man swimming in a clear, green stream to fat leaves to fields of wildflowers and green meadows to the variety of colorful berries.  Even a tiny snail and chipmunk are included in the vivid nature scenes.  Life abounds and the Sun is seen as a kind helper who creates growth to assist man.  The illustrations also beautifully detail the man and woman’s clothes, home, village and even meals.  The authentic detail makes the story even more enjoyable as do the realistic angry and caring expressions on all the faces in the story, especially the Sun’s. 

The story is never too preachy or heavy-handed though there is a beautiful, subtle moral given to readers:  They forgave each other, shared the berries and now all Cherokee people are reminded when they eat strawberries that they “should always be kind to each other” and that “friendship and respect are as sweet as the taste of ripe, red berries.”  It’s simply a lovely, life-affirming story.

Book Review Excerpts:

“The brief, readable story, accompanied by strong and spare illustrations, carries a valuable message about friendship and respect.”  - Copyright 1998 Horn Book Guide Reviews

“Spare text, an uncomplicated story line and gentle illustrations keep this quiet but resonant tale accessible to even the youngest child. Vojtech's soft, luminous watercolors conjure up an unspoiled landscape bathed in sunlight--visual reinforcement of the idea that the earth and its wonders are indeed gifts.”  (Sept.) Copyright 1993 Cahners Business Information.

“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.”  (Folklore/Picture book. 5-10) (Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 1993).

Connections/Further Activities:

A story time could include touching and tasting the various berries the Sun created in the story as some children may never have seen or experienced all of them previously.

A short tutorial on Cherokee homes, clothing and general lifestyle could help inform and enlighten about the Native American tribe itself in addition to the story being read aloud.

Title read-a-likes:
How Turtle's back was cracked: a traditional Cherokee tale – Gayle Ross

The story of the Milky Way: a Cherokee tale – Joseph Bruchac

Two bad boys : a very old Cherokee tale – Gail E. Haley

Yonder Mountain : a Cherokee legend – Robert H. Bushyhead