The Boy Who Made Dragonfly. A Zuni Myth

HILLERMAN, TONY [RETOLD BY]

Publication: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1972, New York

First trade edition. 8vo. Signed by the author on the title page. Hillerman's third book. Fine in dust jacket light soiled on the rear cover, light wear to the spine ends and corners. A Zuni myth that is retold by Tony Hillerman and beautifully illustrated by Laszlo Kubinyi. "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 starving 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 of corn stalks to amuse his sister. 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."

Inventory Number: 53018