The Ring in the Prairie: A Shawnee Legend

by John Bierhorst, Leo Dillon (Illustrator), Diane Dillon (Illustrator)

A young hunter named Waupee, his wife, and his son are transformed into white hawks by the magic of the stars

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fairy Tales

34 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

John Bierhorst is the author, editor, or translator of more than thirty books on Native American lore, including Latin American Folktales, The Mythology of South America, The Mythology of North America, and The Mythology of Mexico and Central America.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Waupee, or White Hawk, comes upon a strange circle in the middle of the prairie, a circle that looks like a dancing ring, though no tracks lead to or away from it, the great Shawnee hunter is intrigued. He waits, and he watches, eventually seeing a woven basket descend from the sky, with twelve beautiful sisters inside. Eventually capturing the youngest and most beautiful sister, Waupee makes her his bride. But a daughter of the stars will always long for the heavens, and soon she finds a way to return to her home, together with their son. Will Waupee ever see his wife and child again...?

This story can also be found in Natalia Belting's The Moon Is A Crystal Ball: Unfamilar Legends of the Stars , where it is listed as White Hawk and the Star Maidens. According to Bierhorst's brief afterword, it was originally recorded by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft between 1817-1825. As a story, I enjoyed The Ring in the Prairie, but as a folktale, I had to wonder - given the liberties often taken by early ethnographers - how accurately it reflects Shawnee traditions. Leaving aside the ever-fraught question of authenticity, this is an interesting title to examine, because it is the first picture-book illustrated by the Caldecott Medal-winning Leo and Diane Dillon. The gorgeous artwork makes it a very auspicious beginning to their distinguished career!

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ring in the Prairie: A Shawnee Legend by John Bierhorst Illustrator Lee Dillon & Diane Dillon The book narrates the story of Waupee a young Shawnee hunter who usually hunts in an area near his village. Today, he leaves for a prairie much distant from his village. He is lured to find a strange circle away from him. First, he tries to locate foot marks to reach this ring but he is unable to locate any footmarks. Just then, he finds that a group of girls in coming down from the sky to land on the ring. There are twelve girls who appear alike in the group. Waupee understands that they are sisters. They dance on the ring. Waupee is intrigued. He waits, and he watches, eventually seeing a woven basket descend from the sky, with twelve beautiful sisters inside. He hides and watches until they leave. Next day, he comes Waupee arrives at the same place. He finds that the girls have arrived again. He hides near a tree root. There are a lot of rats in the root. Waupee turns into a rat. The girl’s dance is disturbed by the rats. They hit the rats by a stick and kill them. Waupee converts into a man. He catches the youngest and the most beautiful girl. Rest of the eleven girls rise to the sky and fly away. Waupee marries her and soon as a son. But a daughter of the stars will always long for the heavens, and soon she finds a way to return to her home, together with their son. After some years, their son grows up. She returns back as a white Hawk. Waupee also converts in a White Hawk. They live happily together. Coloured pictures charm the readers to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bold, swirling illustrations accent this Shawnee Legend that is reminiscent of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. It adds in the Native American belief that animals and people (and other parts of nature) have spirits.