Little Drawn-from-Water
I had fun with the previously ranted-about social location exercise for my Hebrew Scriptures class. I did do a traditional feminist reading of Exodus 2:1-10 (in which I tore apart another anticipated "feminist" reading, hah!) just to satisfy the gee-I'd-better-prove-I-can-do-the-assignment-as-written aspect of the whole thing.
But I also wrote a story. One little analytical paragraph talking about Native American emphasis of spatiality, and balanced, partcipatory, harmonious relationships, and how narrative was more appropriate for this optic than discursive writing. Then, *poof* goes the academic paper, in favour of a good old Native-American-style legend.
I hope the professor doesn't get whiplash in the transition to narrative from academic-speak! I also hope he likes the story...
Far off in a distant land, in the village of their parents, dwelled a young family of the tribe of the Hebrews. The young man had built a comfortable hut of mud and grass a short distance from the great river, where he fished and hunted among the tall reeds. The young woman gathered wood for the fire, cooked the meals, and tended house.
The small family grew, adding first a strong, quick, healthy daughter, and then a fine baby boy. Each day they prayed their thanksgiving to Spirit-Father, and there was harmony.
To the north along the north-flowing river dwelled a neighbor tribe, whose great chief was called Pharaoh. (Pharaoh was jealous of the Hebrew tribe, because they lived well and in harmony with the land. Crafty Pharaoh plotted to steal the Hebrew boy-children and send them to the spirit-land, so there would be no young Hebrews left to fish or hunt by Great River.)
Mother and Sister heard of Pharaoh's plans, and were afraid, as they knew that Younger Brother was not yet called to the spirit-land. Together they gathered papyrus from the river banks; together they fashioned a water-tight basket large enough for Younger Brother. Into the reeds on the banks of Great River they placed the basket with the baby, over whom Older Sister stood watch.
From the north came Pharaoh's daughter, laughing and walking with the girls of her tribe, splashing and bathing in the fast river water. Nestled among the shore reeds they spotted the well-made basket, large and fine and out-of-place on the banks of Great River. In it -- how strange! -- a fine young baby, wailing loudly with strong lungs.
Now Pharaoh's daughter, the princess, was no fool, and guessed that the babe was a son of the Hebrew tribe, whom her father hated. But what should she do for the dispossessed child? Little Drawn-From-Water no more belonged with her in her northern village than he belonged with the ibis in the Great River reeds!
Slowly Older Sister stood from her watching-place, catching the eye of Pharaoh's daughter. Perceiving the Hebrew girl, Pharaoh's daughter formed a plan. "Southern sister," called the princess, "I have adopted this handsome baby, but he cries for milk, and I have none. See how unhappy he is!"
"I know just the woman, missing her own baby, to nurse this child," Older Sister responded. Thus Pharaoh's daughter and Older Sister conspired to return little Drawn-From-Water to his very own family.
And although Drawn-From-Water would one day grow up and be called on a great journey in service of his tribe, for a time he returned to his home, where Older Sister tended him, his mother cooked and gathered, and his father fished and hunted by Great River. And each day they prayed their thanksgiving to Spirit-Father, and there was harmony.
But I also wrote a story. One little analytical paragraph talking about Native American emphasis of spatiality, and balanced, partcipatory, harmonious relationships, and how narrative was more appropriate for this optic than discursive writing. Then, *poof* goes the academic paper, in favour of a good old Native-American-style legend.
I hope the professor doesn't get whiplash in the transition to narrative from academic-speak! I also hope he likes the story...
Far off in a distant land, in the village of their parents, dwelled a young family of the tribe of the Hebrews. The young man had built a comfortable hut of mud and grass a short distance from the great river, where he fished and hunted among the tall reeds. The young woman gathered wood for the fire, cooked the meals, and tended house.
The small family grew, adding first a strong, quick, healthy daughter, and then a fine baby boy. Each day they prayed their thanksgiving to Spirit-Father, and there was harmony.
To the north along the north-flowing river dwelled a neighbor tribe, whose great chief was called Pharaoh. (Pharaoh was jealous of the Hebrew tribe, because they lived well and in harmony with the land. Crafty Pharaoh plotted to steal the Hebrew boy-children and send them to the spirit-land, so there would be no young Hebrews left to fish or hunt by Great River.)
Mother and Sister heard of Pharaoh's plans, and were afraid, as they knew that Younger Brother was not yet called to the spirit-land. Together they gathered papyrus from the river banks; together they fashioned a water-tight basket large enough for Younger Brother. Into the reeds on the banks of Great River they placed the basket with the baby, over whom Older Sister stood watch.
From the north came Pharaoh's daughter, laughing and walking with the girls of her tribe, splashing and bathing in the fast river water. Nestled among the shore reeds they spotted the well-made basket, large and fine and out-of-place on the banks of Great River. In it -- how strange! -- a fine young baby, wailing loudly with strong lungs.
Now Pharaoh's daughter, the princess, was no fool, and guessed that the babe was a son of the Hebrew tribe, whom her father hated. But what should she do for the dispossessed child? Little Drawn-From-Water no more belonged with her in her northern village than he belonged with the ibis in the Great River reeds!
Slowly Older Sister stood from her watching-place, catching the eye of Pharaoh's daughter. Perceiving the Hebrew girl, Pharaoh's daughter formed a plan. "Southern sister," called the princess, "I have adopted this handsome baby, but he cries for milk, and I have none. See how unhappy he is!"
"I know just the woman, missing her own baby, to nurse this child," Older Sister responded. Thus Pharaoh's daughter and Older Sister conspired to return little Drawn-From-Water to his very own family.
And although Drawn-From-Water would one day grow up and be called on a great journey in service of his tribe, for a time he returned to his home, where Older Sister tended him, his mother cooked and gathered, and his father fished and hunted by Great River. And each day they prayed their thanksgiving to Spirit-Father, and there was harmony.