“The Legend of Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas”
by Tomie DePaola
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, 1983, 32 pages, Grades K-3.
Legends are created stories to explain the origin of places and things. While they are not actually factual, legends can be informative and comforting. In this sense they speak to a higher truth; that of human experience. Most cultures have legends and this is particularly true of Native American tribes. Storytelling and oral tradition are highly developed in Native American societies and many tribes have a number of legends. Tomie DePaola has taken an old Comanche tale about the origin of the bluebonnet flower and crafted the legend into a lovely story. He entitles the book: “The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas.”
During a period of severe drought, the Comanche people suffer much want. Everyone is trying to explain how the drought happened and what is necessary to stop the phenomenon. The spiritual leader of the tribe, the shaman, goes into the hills to pray about the situation. He asks God to explain why this suffering is occurring. After several days, he returns to the village and states that God is angry with the people because of their selfishness. The only way the drought will end is for the people to make sacrifices to atone for the evils they have done. He tells them that they must each give up an important possession for this sacrifice. All of the gathered articles will then be burnt as an offering to God for the evils committed by the people. The Comanches immediately begin bringing their most important possessions to the shaman for the atoning sacrifice.
One little girl, She-Who-Is-Alone, family has died during the drought. The only item she still has is a doll given to her by her family. At night she clings to the doll because it is the last remaining link to her deceased relatives. But as the days go by, she begins to wonder if she should give the doll to help end the drought. She-Who-Is-Alone decides she must make the ultimate sacrifice of her doll so the tribe can be spared of further suffering. The little girl walks outside of the village and starts a fire. As the flames grow and her heart breaks, she makes her final decision. It is a decision that will change the history of her people and the landscape of Texas.
What does She-Who-Is-Alone do? Why is the decision so difficult that she has to lay down and sleep afterwards? What is she surrounded with the next day as a thanksgiving for her sacrifice? Have you ever given up something that you really treasured? Why did you do it? Why is it usually better to give than to receive? To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out “The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas” by Tomie DePaola.
Tomie DePaola is one of the most beloved author/illustrators in the history of children’s literature. His accomplishments are so numerous that it is hard to list them all. His books have a deep sense of peace, joy and love. DePaola draws and paints his characters with a childlike simplicity that is very appealing. His Irish/Italian background is quite obvious in his art as is his deep love for Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin. DePaola’s book, “Mary the Mother of Jesus” (reviewed May, 2007) is an affectionately written and lovingly drawn book about Our Lady. You just can’t go wrong with this wonderful writer/artist of children’s books. I hope you get a chance to read this touching book. Enjoy!
