THE FIRST STRAWBERRIES: A CHEROKEE STORY retold by Joseph Bruchac and pictures by Anna Vojtech

Bibliography

Bruchac, Joseph.  1993. The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story.  Illustrated by Anna Vojtech.  New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-8037-1331-2

Plot Summary

The First Strawberries is a retelling of a traditional Cherokee folktale about the first man and first woman.  When the man’s anger gets the best of him, his wife leaves him.  He follows, but will they be able to make amends?

Critical Analysis

Bruchac’s retelling of this traditional Cherokee porquoi folktale expresses how sometimes the simplest stories can be very profound.  When the husband returns from hunting to find his wife picking flowers instead of gathering food, he becomes angry.  Their emotions are very clearly expressed; there is nothing passive-aggressive in their actions and this creates an easy to understand story for children. The couple had been living in relative peace and harmony until this point, but the wife conveys to her husband that his words have hurt her and that she can no longer stay with him.  She walks to the west in the direction of the Sun.  Because he is remorseful, the Sun decides to help the husband catch up to this wife.  She is not tempted by the blueberries or blackberries that the Sun creates along her path, but the strawberries give her pause.  The couple shares the strawberries and enjoys their sweetness as a reminder to those who hear the story to always treat each other with kindness.   Vojtech’s beautiful watercolor illustrations reflect the simplicity and harmony in the story.  She uses calming colors, and there are often details reflective of the emotions conveyed through the various parts of the tale.  For example, when the wife leaves, the husband follows and passes a tree; in the tree is an empty bird’s nest symbolic of a home that has been recently emptied.  And when the husband finally catches up to his love, the warm yellows and oranges of the sunset suggest that their anger has diminished with time.  The illustrations also reflect authentic representation of the Cherokee culture with its emphasis on nature and the presence of traditional Cherokee lodging (it’s not a Plains tipi, yay!!). This tale reminds children that friends will argue and have disagreements, but with time, remorse, and forgiveness, friendships can endure.

Awards and Review Excerpts

• Kirkus: “Complete harmony of text and pictures: altogether lovely.”
• Publishers Weekly: "Spare text, an uncomplicated story line and gentle illustrations keep this quiet but resonant tale accessible to even the youngest child.”

Connections

• Use this story with older students (junior high or senior high); have them compare and contrast this story with the Bible’s creation story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden.
• Read in conjunction with other Cherokee and/or other Native American folk tales by Joseph Bruchac and others.  Have students find common themes (for example, the role of nature, the Creator, community, and character traits that are valued such as forgiveness, perseverance, respect. etc).
• Have students create their own version of a porquoi story.  They could choose a topic that already exists (e.g. their own version of the Creation story, the Flood, etc.) or they can make up their own (why dogs bark or why skunks stink).  The teacher could also add a storytelling element if desired after showing students videos of Native American storytellers.