The Boy Who Made Dragonfly: A Zuni Myth

by Tony Hillerman, Janet Grado (Illustrator)

As readers of Tony Hillerman's detective novels know, he is a skilled interpreter of southwestern Indian cultures. In this book, first published in 1972, he recounts a Zuni myth first recorded a century ago by the anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing. Hillerman's version of the story, written to be read by children ten years old and up, will have equal appeal for adults with an interest in Native American culture. "In our society," Hillerman explains, "this would be called a 'Bible story.' Like stories based on the Old Testament, this narrative is intended to teach both the history and morality of a people." It tells the consequences of a drought in which Zuni crops were ruined and the tribe was forced to accept charity from neighboring Hopis.

Genres: Native American, Childrens, History, Indigenous, Religion, Nonfiction

81 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Tony Hillerman, who was born in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma, was a decorated combat veteran from World War II, serving as a mortarman in the 103rd Infantry Division and earning the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. Later, he worked as a journalist from 1948 to 1962. Then he earned a Masters degree and taught journalism from 1966 to 1987 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he resided with his wife until his death in 2008. Hillerman, a consistently bestselling author, was ranked as New Mexico's 25th wealthiest man in 1996. - Wikipedia

Reviews

[Masika Sweetwyyne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Frank Hamilton Cushing was adopted and initiated by the Zuni people only to take their sacred objects and house them in museums which, to this day, refuse to give them back. He wrote books about things that he was never meant to communicate with the outside world. He inspired the Zuni to take a defensive approach when encountering all outsiders and giving them access to sacred knowledge, which is true to this day. His name is known to the people as one tied to deep betrayal and offense, lowest of the low. Then Tony Hillerman came along and bastardized Cushing's legacy of content even further from a second-hand account. Honestly, if you say Hillerman to a Zuni, he's considered a joke, and if you mention Dance Hall of the Dead, then you're venturing deeper than even that, because he again wrote about things that were never meant to be recorded in writing, and did it badly as well.

Screw this guy. He capitalized on the intellectual property of other people.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many versions of this story. Tony Hillerman captures the essence of learning the importance of respecting Mother Earth.

[Anam Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read given to me by my daughter who knows I love dragonflies. It tells the story of a Zuni Indian clan who was very prosperous but then became arrogant and misused the blessings they had been given. A drought came and the corn no longer grew. The people were strarving and knew they had to leave their homes to find food. A boy and his sister (as well as an old woman who had been looked down on by the tribe) were left behind when the tribe abandoned their home to seek help from the Hopi Indians. Eventually the boy created a dragonfly our of corn stalks to amuse his sister (who really was hoping for a butterfly). A creature of this shape had never been seen before. The Corn Insect - Being that Flies (dragonfly) came alive and had pity on the children. It flew to the Great Fathers and Beloved Ones and asked for mercy and help for the children, which the Fathers happily gave. The Corn Maidens knew that the old woman and the children all had good hearts and arranged for them to work together to reunite the entire tribe. When the people returned, the boy, now wise beyond his years, became the leader of his tribe and made certain that the people never again forgot or misused their blessings. And the Corn Creature was given permanent life and a mate who would become they symbols of summer and pools of water.

[Lenora Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being new to the Southwest, I began reading some of the local histories and came upon this little book. Well, I need to know some of the local mythologies, too. I'm so glad I picked it up and read it.

It is a delightful story of creation, as Hillerman said on the back cover, in the white culture, it would be considered a "bible story."

Draught comes upon the land and the people leave their village, inadvertently leaving two children and an old woman behind. The boy becomes the hero, saving both his smaller sister and the old hermit grandmother he at first didn't know was also left.

The boy made dragonfly, and in the process also a delightful story, made more so by Hillerman's retelling of it. This is a book for your library, your child's library, your grandmother's library. Frankly, I think it's the best book Hillerman wrote, or at least that I've read.

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is kindness underpinning the entire story, and unlike so many 'morality tales', it is light on punishment and vengeance. An excellent blueprint for the way forward through our contentious times.

[Samantha Lieurance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story for a rainy day read, or for a fun book on a weekend camping/backpacking trip.

[Adam Carman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myths are stories to explain the world. This myth explains the Zuni People's social structure and the existence of dragonflies. It follows a boy and his sister, abandoned by their family when the Nation thoughtlessly uses up its food supply and has to move in with the Hopi. To comfort his sister, the boy creates a butterfly look alike from corn husks and this becomes the titular dragonfly. The dragonfly comes to life and brings the children's plight to the attention of the gods who intervene. In the process, the children and a despised old woman become the leaders of the village.

Tony Hillerman was famous for his detective stories set on the Navajo Reservation but he is not himself Indigenous. And he is drawing on the work of a White historian who was adopted into the Zuni Nation. This makes it somewhat controversial as people not born and steeped in the culture can often emphasize the wrong things or not recognize when some things should not be spoken. And this is something that should be noted. The language and structure of the tale mirror many Indigenous tales so it has the ring of authenticity. As an introduction to Native American Culture, this can be a very good thing. But of course it shouldn't be the end all and readers should strive as much as possible to hear from Native voices. But this is a charming tale and a good Desert Southwest myth.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of unselfish love.

“And because you have made me out of unselfish love you have touched me with life”

This is a transcript of a story that was verbally passed down through the generations of the Zuni. It was recorded in 1883 by Frank Hamilton Cushing. He had become a chief Priest of the Bow society of the Macaw Clan. The story is based on a drought that happened to the Ha’wi-k’uh about 1300; before the coming of the Europeans (1539-1540).
-------------------------

The basic tale is of a people that treated food like mud and was extremely rude to their corn spirits that were in the form of two old ladies. Only two children and a discarded old woman paid them any respect. This was very bad as the Zuni is part of nature and therefore nature and strangers are to be treated with respect.

Thus the story is of the drought that sent the people away and left the two children and old lady behind.
----------------------
The version I read was illustrated by Lazlo Kubinyi. It is out of print so I am ordering the one illustrated by Janet Grado. Another thing I found interesting is that some of the places and things we read about in this story became titles of Hillerman books.

[Marilyn Fontane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Boy Who Made Dragonfly by Tony Hillerman is the retelling of a Zuni Myth intended to teach both history and morality to a people. It tells of a mythic time when the Zunis settled in the present location of the Zuni Pueblo near Gallop New Mexico. Historically this happened around 1300, but the story is probably between 500 and 600 years old. For the Zuni, man is not the supreme being on the earth, but one of the many animals (and plants and natural features) that are equal. This story shows how greed can destroy a civilization; the tribe is saved (after two years exile) by two children and an old woman who loved and helped save the valuable corn. The boy actually makes the dragonfly out of corn stalks, and the Corn Maidens give him life.

[Brace1737 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Zuni folk tale retold by Tony Hillerman and illustrated by his daughter Janet Grado. It is intended for reads in 4th 6th grade. Read it whenever you feel like being a kid again. You have my permission.

[Ulana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Zuni myth is a good story to explain the compassion of two children and the creation of the dragonfly. It is a quick read and would go well with a Native American unit.

[Colleen De Bie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining short story

[Sreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little myth.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Zuni myth about respecting Mother Earth and being kind to others.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story. Created by the Zuni who had no means of writing until a white man came to study their culture and translated and published this book.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Native American story that teaches morals and passes down wisdom.

[Kari Galer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good morality tale

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story. Author’s notes help reader understand Zuni culture.

[Kevin Orth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story! It is wonderful finding children's stories discussing how human's can backslide unconsciously into selfishness, xenophobia, greed, wasting precious environmental resources, even elder & child neglect. We all need to be reminded to regain focus on our higher self, priorities, and respect those at societies margins and the limited resources earth has to offer. Everyone would be well served by reading this mythic narrative. Highly recommend.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of unselfish love.

“And because you have made me out of unselfish love you have touched me with life.”

This is a transcript of a story that was verbally passed down through the generations of the Zuni. It was recorded in 1883 by Frank Hamilton Cushing. He had become a chief Priest of the Bow Society of the Macaw Clan. The story is based on a drought that happened to the Ha’wi-k’uh about 1300; before the coming of the Europeans (1539-1540).
-------------------------

The basic tale is of a person that treated food like mud and was extremely rude to their corn spirits that were in the form of two old ladies. Only two children and a discarded old woman paid them any respect. This was very bad as the Zuni is part of nature and therefore nature and strangers are to be treated with respect.

Thus, the story is of the drought that sent the people away and left the two children and old lady behind.
----------------------
The version I read was illustrated by Lazlo Kubinyi. It is out of print, so I am ordering the one illustrated by Janet Grado. Another thing I found interesting is that some of the places and things we read about in this story became titles of Hillerman books.

[Kristine Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was SO EXCITED when I saw this book, I snatched it up immediately! A beautiful retelling of the Zuni Indian myth, The Boy Who Made Dragonfly is a must read for all lovers of dragonflies. It not only tells of the insect's origins, but delivers a moral tale without being preachy about it.

The story is of two Zuni children who are accidentally left behind when the entire tribe leaves their village during a devastating drought. The older boy is tasked with their survival as well as keeping his little sister's spirits up through the cold, friendless winter months. The only spoiler I will tell you is it has a happy ending, making it a good read for younger children.

I love the rich, vivid description of Zuni culture and the peek into their daily life and tribal structure. I read it in one sitting in an hour - an easy feat at only 81 pages with wide margins. In our fast-paced world of today, it is the perfect length.

[Ayden B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this tale; it came into my life just as Dragonfly totem came into my life. It is really wonderful, and good to re-tell!!
I am currently attempting to shorten it and retell it in a Theatre Storytelling class tomorrow. Not easy, because there are many instances in the story to relay.
This is a Native American creation story that really appeals to me. ;)

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently found out one of my favorite authors wrote this Zuni myth back in 1972. Story was probably first told 500 years ago. Good to be reminded of the Zuni attitude/story of creation. That man is part of a universal harmony with nature, where every part of nature is to be treated with respect, rather than the Old Testament version which says that man has dominion over birds and beasts.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this at the library where I work and decided to check it out. It is a sweet tale of Zuni myths and very nice. After going to some the pueblos in New Mexico, I had heard some these tales mentioned. Now I got to read them and enjoy their creation myths.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it when we do legends in our Indian Unit. It is good for compassion, caring, settings.

[Timothy Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I buy this book for anyone I know who has kids and often read it to them if they're too young to do so themselves.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done.
Saw a shorter picture book version of this some time ago.

[Rebecca Austill-Clausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, entertaining story. Author's Notes at end of book provided enlightening clarification about Zuni history and culture.