John Bierhorst

Twenty-two folktales told by the Mayan peoples of southern Mexico and Guatemala are presented in John Bierhorst's The Monkey's Haircut, which features a detailed cultural introduction by the author, explaining such things as the Mayan kinship system, and the storytelling distinctions drawn, between an ejemplo - a pourquoi tale, explaining something - and an ordinary cuento. The selections include tales that are taken from ancient Mayan mythology, as well as more recent stories that show a show more decided European influence.

Amongst this latter group are tales like The Bird Bride, in which three sons set out to capture whatever is destroying their father's fields. It is the youngest son, of course, who succeeds, gaining a magical bird that turns out to be an enchanted girl. Folktale enthusiasts will immediately perceive the similarities between this story, and (among others) the Russian tale involving the Firebird. Selections like Rabbit and Coyote, by contrast, seem to have an African origin, and are reminiscent of Br'er Rabbit tales. The older, indigenous traditions are also represented, with tales such as Chac, in which the Mayan rain god find his human servant, stolen from his home on earth, more trouble than he is worth; or Lord Sun's Bride, which explains how the Sun wooed a maiden, who eventually became the moon.

I enjoyed these tales, and Bierhorst's telling of them, immensely, and was fascinated to see the cultural interchange that is evident in their diverse range. Whatever their origin, these are all Mayan tales now - collected from Mayan storytellers. Highly recommended to all folklore lovers, particularly those with an interest in Central American traditions. show less

I confess that I was rather leery, after seeing the sub-title of this book, both as an Aesop enthusiast, and as someone aware of the many ways in which Native American folklore has been expropriated and distorted. "A Native American Aesop?" I thought, "what sort of revisionist conflation is this?" How glad I am that I gave Doctor Coyote a chance, as I learned something new (and exciting!), and got to read some entertaining stories!

It turns out that the conflation of Aesopic fable and Coyote show more trickster-tale wasn't Bierhorst's idea at all, but that of a sixteenth-century native Mexican translator (name unknown), who adapted a Spanish edition of Aesop, producing an Aztec (Nahuatl) version. This distinctive collection of fables - in which animals native to the Americas, like the coyote and puma, are used in the stories - can currently be found, in manuscript form, in the National Library of Mexico. Astonishingly, it has apparently never been translated into any modern language, making Bierhorst's book the only easily obtainable (and sadly incomplete) edition of it available to readers!

These twenty tales feature the trickster Coyote, who, through a series of painful episodes (each with a separate moral), begins to learn about the consequences of his actions. Many of the selections were quite humorous, and I enjoyed reading them. Unfortunately, although I was thrilled to discover this hitherto unknown Aztec branch of the Aesopic tree, and found Bierhorst's text itself engaging, the illustrations by Wendy Watson were less appealing. Somehow, her modern-day Coyote just didn't match the tales - perhaps because I was hoping for something a little more "Aztec" in style?

Whatever the case may be, anyone interested in the transmission of folklore should seek out this selection, and then... Demand a complete translation! I know I want to read one! show less

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 show more 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! show less

Folklorist and author John Bierhorst and illustrator Wendy Watson, who previously collaborated on Doctor Coyote: A Native American Aesop's Fables, here present seven traditional tales from the Hopi pueblos of Arizona. The interconnected tales all revolve around a group of animal friends, and are presented in the same style as they would be if being told around the fire, with a short introduction and conclusion, and an ask-and-answer refrain between teller and listener opening each selection. show more Here we find:

Roasted Ears, in which Badger tricks Coyote, pretending he has cut off his own ears to serve his guest a meal. When Coyote returns the favor, his ears don't grow back, explaining why they are short to this day.

Why Mouse Walks Softly, in which Mouse steals food from all the nearby houses in order to feed her guests, Coyote and Beetle. These two decide to shame her with a song, and realizing that the whole village knows what she has done, Mouse decides to be quiet in her activities, from then on.

Beetle's New Life, in which Beetle is not feeling well (mostly from the cold), but is aided by his friends, Badger and Mole, who believe he is dead or dying.

Winter Story, in which Coyote becomes resentful of his friend Snake, after allowing him to curl up in his home as a guest, leaving him cold outside. Determining to repay the favor, he visits Snake with a long fake tail of his own, leaving Snake out in the cold. That serpentine fellow however, is revenged by burning Coyote's tail and scorching his fur, leading to a permanent end to their friendship.

The Racer, in which Mouse is the only one who can reach the cicadas and convince them to visit the other animals, thereby melting the terrible snow and bringing the warmth. This tale explains why people throw cicada wings on the fire in winter.

Why Peaches Are Sweet, in which Dove and Bee become friends, with Bee providing medicine to make the peaches sweet, and Dove giving Bee some of her feathers for wings.

Coyote Breaks His Leg, in which Coyote breaks his leg while hunting with Badger, and is nursed back to health by a family of mice. In repayment, he leaves crumbs by his fire for their meals.

I enjoyed the stories in Is My Friend at Home?: Pueblo Fireside Tales, appreciating their sense of humor, and the ways in which the animals trick one another, but also help one another. These are indeed tales (mostly) of friends. I also appreciated the brief note on the colophon, in which Bierhorst listed his sources. The artwork from Wendy Watson was cute, in a somewhat cartoonish style, and I thought it captured the humor of the text. I wasn't as sold on Watson's illustrations in Doctor Coyote, but I think that was because I was hoping for something more Aztec in style. In any case, this is one I would recommend to young folklore lovers, and to anyone looking for Hopi folktales. show less