Indian Captive facts for kids
Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison is an exciting children's biographical novel. It was written and illustrated by Lois Lenski. The book first came out in 1941. It was even recognized as a Newbery Honor book in 1942. This story is a historical fiction book. It tells the life of Mary Jemison, with a few small changes. The story is very much like Mary Jemison's real life.
Contents
The Story of Mary Jemison
Twelve-year-old Mary Jemison lived a peaceful life. She grew up on her family's farm in eastern Pennsylvania. But in the spring of 1758, her life changed forever. A group of warriors came to her home. They took the Jemison family captive. Mary was separated from her parents and siblings.
Mary's New Life
Mary traveled with the warriors to southern Ohio. Later, she went to a Seneca village. This village was on the Genesee River in what is now western New York. Before she got an Indian name, she was just Mary.
Mary's new life was not easy. She missed her family very much. She was also not used to the Seneca ways. She even tried to run away several times. But the Seneca people were kind to her. They taught her many things. She learned about the earth, its plants, and its animals.
New Name and Friends
The Seneca people named Mary "Corn Tassel." They named her after corn tassels, which she loved. She became like a sister to animals and all growing things. Corn Tassel made many Indian friends.
- Shining Star: One of two sisters who brought her to the village.
- Little Turtle (also called Turkey Feather): An Indian boy who taught Mary the Seneca language.
- Earth Woman: An Indian woman who cared for Mary. She also taught Mary how to make pots from clay.
- Beaver Girl: An Indian girl Mary's age. She wanted to be Mary's friend.
Mary grew very close to these friends. She also cared for Shining Star's baby son, Blue Jay.
A Difficult Choice
An old trader brought sad news to Mary. Her family had passed away shortly after she was taken. Later, Mary was given a chance to return to the world of white people. But she had also become like a sister to the Seneca. How could she leave them? Her own family was gone. Her old neighbors were also gone.
Mary decided to stay with her new Seneca family. The Chief of the Genesee Town honored her choice. He changed her name from Corn Tassel to "Little-Woman-of-Great-Courage." This name showed her bravery in staying with the Seneca people.
The Power of Friendship
Many people believe that Mary's friendships helped her. Her friendships with Little Turtle and Beaver Girl were a great comfort. They helped her through her sadness.
In one part of the story, a new white captive named Running Dear had a chance to go back. He decided to leave. At the same time, Corn Tassel went with the women to a sugar camp. They were making maple sugar there.
Corn Tassel stumbled and fell. Panther Woman scolded her. Feeling upset, Corn Tassel decided to go back to the village alone. She dropped her tools and ran into the forest. Beaver Girl saw her and ran after her. Corn Tassel ran faster, but Beaver Girl kept up.
Finally, Corn Tassel was tired and sank to the ground. Beaver Girl hugged her. "Please don't go, Corn Tassel," Beaver Girl begged. "If you go back to the white people, I will be so sad. I will have no one to talk to, no one to work with, no friend to love. Stay with me, Corn Tassel, and be my friend."
Corn Tassel was deeply touched by Beaver Girl's words. She started to cry. Beaver Girl wiped her tears. The two girls went back to the sugar camp. They finished making sugar together.
The next day, Earth Woman announced that Running Dear had left. He went back to the "pale-faces," as the Seneca called white people. Corn Tassel felt sad. Her friends, including Shining Star, Turkey Feather, and Beaver Girl, looked at her with disapproval.
Corn Tassel tried to run away again herself. But she hurt herself and returned to Earth Woman's lodge. An old Seneca man named Shagbark understood. He said they had to let Running Dear go. He even gave Running Dear a canoe to make his journey easier. Earth Woman and Corn Tassel felt relieved, even though they knew they would never see Running Dear again.
