The White Stag facts for kids
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| Author | Kate Seredy |
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| Illustrator | Kate Seredy |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's Historical Fantasy |
| Publisher | Viking Press |
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Publication date
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1937 |
| Media type | Hardback |
| Pages | 94 pp |
| ISBN | 0-14-031258-7 |
The White Stag is a children's book written and illustrated by Kate Seredy. It won the famous Newbery Medal for being an excellent American children's book. It also received the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. The White Stag tells a mythical story. It follows the journey of ancient warrior groups called Huns and Magyars. They travel across Asia and into Europe. The story also includes parts of the life of Attila the Hun.
Contents
The Story of The White Stag
The White Stag begins after the fall of the Tower of Babel from the Bible. An old leader named Nimrod is waiting for his two sons, Hunor and Magyar. They rode away seven months ago, chasing a mysterious white stag. Nimrod worries they might not return. He fears his people will be left without a leader. So, he offers a sacrifice to their god, Hadur. He sacrifices his war horse.
Right away, his sons return. They bring meat for their hungry people. They tell the story of chasing the white stag. Nimrod realizes it is time for his sons to lead the people. He then sacrifices himself on the altar.
The Journey for a New Home
Now, Hunor and Magyar lead their people. They search for a promised land. They follow the white stag, but they can never catch it. Later, they meet and marry the Moonmaidens. They live happily for fifteen years. Eventually, there is not enough game (animals to hunt) for food. So, the people must move on.
The book says, "Like a sharp wedge they had driven themselves into Europe." Now, they are surrounded by enemies. They have to keep going or they will not survive. This time, they fight many groups living in the lands they travel through. The people start to argue among themselves.
Leaders and Division
Hunor is strong and tough. Magyar is quieter and more educated. Both brothers still lead. However, the people begin to divide. They now call themselves Huns or Magyars. This depends on which brother they respect more. Magyar wants to find a land with fewer people. But Hunor leads them into more battles.
Finally, the two groups split up. The Magyars stay behind. Hunor's son, Bendeguz, and his grandson, Atilla, lead the Huns west. They find themselves stuck during a big snowstorm. The White Stag appears again. It shows them a path through the mountains. This path leads them to their promised land, which is modern-day Hungary.
About the Author and Book
Kate Seredy was born in Hungary. She moved to the United States when she was twenty-three. Before The White Stag, she had already published two children's books. Her first book, The Good Master, was set in her home country. It received the Newbery Honor award. Seredy's second book, "Listening," took place in rural New York. This is where she lived at the time.
Inspiration for The White Stag
Hungary became the inspiration for The White Stag once more. Seredy got the idea after reading a dry history book about Hungary for children. She wanted to make history more exciting. In the book's "Forward," she explains her goal. She wrote the book for those who want to hear "the voice of pagan gods in wind and thunder." She wrote it for those who "want to see fairies dance in the moonlight." And for those "who can believe that faith can move mountains."
The story is based on her father's favorite folktale. This tale was about how Hungary was founded. Seredy wrote The White Stag very quickly, in just three weeks.
