THE TALKING
by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
The Whispering Grasses and the Fire Spirit
Once upon a time, a big green hill stood. Special grass lived there. It was the Whispering Grasses. They talked to friends. Little Fox, Hare, Deer listened. Grasses told them secrets. They warned of danger. Butterflies carried news. They were good friends.
One day, hunters came. They came to the green hill. They looked for animals. The Whispering Grasses knew. They quickly warned their friends. Little Fox, Hare, Deer hid fast. The hunters saw no animals. The animals were safe.
The hunters were angry. Animals were gone. They knew the grass told them. "We will pull up all the grass," they said. "Tomorrow, no more warnings." They planned to hurt the grass.
The Whispering Grasses heard this. They became very sad. They were quiet. They did not whisper. The Butterflies saw their fear. They flew away quickly. They went to Little Fox's home. They told him the grass was in danger.
Little Fox ran fast. He went to a dark cave. The Fire Spirit lived there. He was very strong. Little Fox was brave. He asked for help. The Fire Spirit finds special black stones. He makes them very hot and shiny, like little suns.
The Fire Spirit carries the hot, glowing stones. He walks with Little Fox back to the green hill.
The next morning, the hunters wake up. They get ready to pull up all the grass.
Just then, the Fire Spirit puts the hot, glowing stones in a big circle around the hill. A bright ring of fire appears!
The hunters see the fire. They are very scared because they have never seen such a thing. They run away from the hill.
The hot stones slowly turn to soft ash. The grass is safe! It starts to whisper and sway happily again.
And so, the Whispering Grasses still help their animal friends. They tell them where to find yummy food and how to stay safe, always. And that is how all parts of nature, like the grass, the fox, and the fire spirit, help each other and stay safe together.
Original Story
THE TALKING
GRASS.
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Once upon a time when there were only Indians and animals in our land, there was a green hill covered with long talking grass. The four winds of heaven brought the grasses news of what was going on in the world, and of the coming of hunters. Then the grasses whispered this news to their friends, the little red Fox, the Hare, the Deer, and the Wolf. If the animals were too far away to hear the soft voices of the grasses, they gave the messages to the Butterflies. The hill was the refuge of these animals, and the talking grasses were their friends.
One day a great band of hunters came from their camp in the valley, up the hill. They were armed with bows and arrows. They planned to kill enough game to give them food for a long time. But the grasses knew that the hunters were on their way. They warned the animals, who hid at once. When the hunters reached the hill, they saw nothing but green grass waving in the wind. Many bright butterflies flew above it.
The hunters listened and heard the grasses talking to one another. They saw, too, the trails of the animals as they had passed through it. They guessed at once what had happened.
“The grasses have told the animals to flee and hide from us,” they said. “We must kill them. To-night we will rest and sleep among them, for we are tired with our long journey. But to-morrow we will tear every blade of grass up by its roots.”
At these cruel words the grasses became still. They loved their life on the hill, with their roots in the earth and their green blades reaching up to the sunshine. Now they knew that they were going to die in the morning. They could neither sing nor talk any more. But the Butterflies knew the grasses’ peril. They flew away, one by one, so that the hunters would suspect nothing, until they came to the Fox’s den. They told him of the great danger of the talking grasses. They begged him to do anything that he could to save them.
The Fox set off at once. He did not stop until he came to a dark cave on the side of a mountain. Here the Fire Manito lived. Few dared speak to him, for he was a very mighty Manito. He was able to destroy man or beast at his will. But when he saw the eager, trembling little Fox, waiting outside, the Fire Manito asked him his errand. The Fox told him that the grasses were to be killed in the morning, unless something was done to save them.
The Manito went to the back of his cave and brought out a heap of black stones. There was no light in them. He told the Fox about them.
“They came from the depths of the earth,” he said. “The Great Spirit mixed a million sunbeams in each. Then he hid them in the earth until they should be needed to give heat and light to man. Now we will use the black stones to save the grasses.”
The Manito heated the stones in his wood fire and they glowed like red rubies. He sent the Fox ahead to tell the grasses to be brave. He, himself, followed with his arms full of the glowing stones which did not burn him because he was the Fire Manito.
The hunters had arisen early and waited at the foot of the hill, ready to rush up and tear up the grasses. But the Manito laid the brightly burning stones in a circle about the hill. The hunters were not able to get through. It was a ring of fire and it frightened them. They had never seen burning coals before. They went back to their camp and the grasses were safe, for the coals burned to ashes without touching them.
The grasses soon found their voices again, and they have been talking to their friends, the animals, ever since. In the summer they tell the Field Mouse and the Hare where to hide safely. In the spring they tell the Deer that they are fresh and green for his food. When it is winter, a few of the grasses stand up, stiff and tall, above the snow as the lone gray Wolf runs by. They guide him to food. In the fall the whispering of the dry grasses helps the Fox to double his trail so that no one may catch him.
Who of you have heard the voices of the grasses?
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Moral of the Story
Nature's elements often work together to protect each other and maintain balance.
Characters
The Talking Grasses ◆ supporting
A vast expanse of green blades, long and slender, covering a significant hill. They sway and rustle in the wind, creating a whispering sound. Their roots are firmly embedded in the earth, and their green tips reach towards the sunshine.
Attire: N/A (as they are plants)
Wants: To live peacefully on their hill, to share news, and to protect their animal friends.
Flaw: Vulnerable to physical destruction by humans.
They face a near-death experience, become still and fearful, but are saved and regain their voices, continuing their role as protectors and communicators.
Informative, friendly, protective, brave, communicative, fearful (when threatened), resilient.
The Hunters ⚔ antagonist
A great band of strong, determined men, likely of Indigenous American descent given the story's context. They are robust and accustomed to long journeys and hunting.
Attire: Practical hunting attire made of animal hides and natural fibers, possibly adorned with feathers or simple beadwork. They carry quivers on their backs.
Wants: To hunt game for food to sustain their camp for a long time.
Flaw: Superstitious, easily intimidated by unfamiliar magical phenomena (the ring of fire).
They arrive with a clear objective, are thwarted by the grasses' communication, plan to destroy the grasses, but are ultimately driven away by the Fire Manito's magic, failing their mission.
Determined, practical, observant, somewhat cruel (in their intent to destroy the grasses), easily frightened by the unknown.
The little red Fox ◆ supporting
A small, agile fox with vibrant reddish-brown fur, a bushy tail tipped with white, and keen, intelligent eyes. He is lean and quick.
Attire: N/A (natural fur coat)
Wants: To save his friends, the Talking Grasses, from destruction.
Flaw: Physically small compared to humans or the Fire Manito, relies on others for powerful solutions.
He acts as a messenger and catalyst, bravely seeking help from the powerful Fire Manito, thereby playing a crucial role in saving the grasses.
Eager, brave, loyal, determined, quick-thinking, resourceful.
The Fire Manito ◆ supporting
A mighty and powerful spirit being, residing in a dark cave. He is capable of handling intensely hot objects without harm, suggesting a connection to heat and fire. His form is not explicitly described, but his power implies a formidable presence.
Attire: Not explicitly described, but likely simple and unadorned, perhaps robes of dark, rough material, or simply his elemental form.
Wants: To use the Great Spirit's gifts (the black stones) for their intended purpose of giving heat and light, and to aid those in need who bravely seek his help.
Flaw: Few dare speak to him, implying a certain isolation or difficulty in being approached.
He is approached by the Fox, agrees to help, and uses his power to save the Talking Grasses, fulfilling his role as a powerful, benevolent force.
Mighty, powerful, wise, benevolent (when appealed to for a good cause), capable of great destruction but also great aid.
The Butterflies ◆ supporting
Many bright, delicate butterflies of various colors, flitting gracefully above the green hill. They are small and light, capable of long flights.
Attire: N/A (natural wings)
Wants: To help their friends, the Talking Grasses, and convey important messages.
Flaw: Physically fragile and small.
They observe the grasses' peril, bravely fly to the Fox's den to deliver the warning, and thus initiate the rescue.
Observant, loyal, empathetic, courageous (in carrying a dangerous message), discreet.
Locations
Green Hill of Talking Grass
A verdant, rolling hill covered entirely with long, vibrant green grass that constantly whispers and sways. It is a refuge for local animals. Butterflies frequently flutter above the grass.
Mood: Peaceful, protective, vibrant, later tense and silent, then restored to its natural state.
The grasses warn animals of hunters, are threatened with destruction, and are ultimately saved by the Fire Manito.
Hunter's Camp in the Valley
A temporary encampment located in a valley, likely near the base of the green hill. The hunters rest and sleep here after their journey.
Mood: Tired, determined, later frustrated.
Hunters plan to destroy the talking grasses after failing to catch game.
Fire Manito's Dark Mountain Cave
A deep, dark cave located on the side of a mountain. It is the dwelling of the powerful Fire Manito. Inside, there is a wood fire and a heap of black, unlit stones.
Mood: Mysterious, powerful, awe-inspiring, warm from the fire.
The Fox seeks help from the Fire Manito, who then heats the black stones to save the grasses.
Story DNA
Moral
Nature's elements often work together to protect each other and maintain balance.
Plot Summary
On a green hill, talking grasses warn animals of danger, but when hunters discover this, they vow to destroy the grasses. The despairing grasses are saved when the Butterflies alert a Fox, who seeks help from the powerful Fire Manito. The Manito creates a protective ring of fire around the hill with glowing stones, scaring the hunters away. The grasses regain their voices and continue their vital role in guiding and protecting the animals through all seasons.
Themes
Emotional Arc
peril to safety
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects a worldview where nature is sentient and interconnected, common in many indigenous cultures, and predates European colonization of America.
Plot Beats (12)
- Talking grasses on a green hill share news with their animal friends (Fox, Hare, Deer, Wolf) and warn them of danger, sometimes via Butterflies.
- Hunters arrive on the hill, seeking game, but the grasses warn the animals, who hide.
- The hunters realize the grasses warned the animals and vow to tear up every blade of grass the next morning.
- The grasses become still and silent in despair, but the Butterflies fly to the Fox's den to tell him of the grasses' peril.
- The Fox travels to the Fire Manito's cave and explains the grasses' impending destruction.
- The Fire Manito retrieves black stones, imbued with sunbeams by the Great Spirit, and heats them until they glow.
- The Manito, carrying the glowing stones, follows the Fox back to the hill.
- The hunters prepare to destroy the grasses at dawn.
- The Fire Manito lays the burning stones in a circle around the hill, creating a ring of fire.
- The hunters, never having seen burning coals, are frightened by the fire and retreat to their camp.
- The coals burn to ashes without harming the grasses, which regain their voices.
- The grasses continue their protective communication with the animals through all seasons, guiding them to food and safety.
