Module 4- Folklore Multicultural

 Why the Sky is Far Away

retold by Mary-Joan Gerson


Summary

The Nigerian folktale tells of the beginning of time when the sky was very close to the earth. People did not have to work the land for food, they could reach up and take a piece of the sky to eat. When the people began to become wasteful and the sky became angry. The people were warned to not be wasteful. For a short time the people were more mindful of what they took, but soon they began to waste again. The sky sailed upward and the people now had to grow their own food and work the land. 

Personal Reflection
I enjoy reading this folktale as it reminds us to take care of the earth and be mindful of our resources. It is interesting to me that this theme was passed down for more than 500 years and is still relevant today. The authors note at the end of the book holds a powerful statement that 'the future of nature and its gifts rests in our own hands" (Gerson, 1995).

Story Elements
Personification is used in the element of sky as it takes on human qualities of speaking and becoming angry. This folklore can be classified as a porquoi tale. A Porquoi tale is from the French work 'Why' (Galda, 2015). It falls into this classification as the tale explains why the sky is so far away from us with a magical transformation of the explanation.  

Illustrations
Colors used within the illustrations are vibrant and eye-catching. The figures drawn to represent people have very few details. All of the illustrations are very simplistic perhaps to demonstrate a simpler period of time.  The illustrations support the text and create a visual understanding of the message the author is trying to convey. 

Activity
Students will complete a worksheet to further understanding of vocabulary used within the text. Words such as: tempting, quantities, ominously, preparations, magnificent, rejoicing, and satisfied. After exploring the definitions of the words as a class, students will reflect on the meaning of the words and demonstrate understanding by writing a sentence with the vocabulary work. Students may then illustrate the sentence. 

Other Works by the Author
 






References

Galda, L., Liang, L. A., & Cullinan, B. E. (2015). Literature and the Child (9th ed., pp. 202).

Cengage Learning.


Gerson, M. J. (1995). Why the Sky is Fay Away. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.


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