Sunday, April 4, 2010

Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story


Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story
Author: Robert San Souci
Illustrator: Daniel San Souci
Folk Tale/ Traditional

Sootface is an Ojibwa spin on the traditional Cinderella story. Sootface has two mean older sisters who make her do all of the cleaning, causing her face to be dirty and burned from tending the fire. All Sootface wishes is to find a husband. One day, word spreads around the village that the village's mysterious and cunning hunter is looking for a bride. There is a catch though, he is invisible to those who are not of pure heart, and he will only marry the woman who can tell what his bow is made of. Young girls from around the village, including Sootface's sisters flock to try and win the young hunter's heart. But, time after time the women are not able to see the man and falsely describe what his bow is made of. One day, the hunter's sister approaches Sootface and asks her if she can see her brother. Sootface, is overcome by the handsome man before her and his beautiful rainbow weapon. Knowing that Sootface must truly see her brother, the hunter's sister announces their marriage. On her wedding, Sootface's burned skin and hair magically return to their former state and she glows with beauty. The couple is happy, and Sootface's sisters are then forced to do the chores for themselves.

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