The Great Ball Game: A Muskogee Story

Module 4

The great ball game: A Muskogee tale. 1994. Retold by Joseph Bruchac. Ill. by Susan L. Roth. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers ISBN 0-8037-1539-0

Summary: The animals wanted to settle a disagreement. The Birds thought they were superior because they had wings. The Animals thought they were better because they had teeth. Instead of going to war they decided to have a ball game: the winner would be the first side to score a goal. They divided up into two teams: those with teeth and and those with wings. The bat had both teeth and wings so he wasn’t accepted by either team. Finally the Bear felt sorry for him and accepted him onto the Animal team. At the last moment when it seemed that the Birds would win, the bat saves the day and helps the animal team win. Bat set the penalty for the Birds. That is why Birds fly south for half of each year.

Critical Analysis: This picture book is a retelling of a story from the Muskogee (Creek) Indian Nation. There are other versions of the story from the Ojibway and Cherokee nations which are also in print. The author based this story on a tale told to him by an Oklahoma Muskogee elder. Native Americans have long passed down their stories orally, from generation to generation. It is an important contribution when an author such as Bruchac puts these stories down in print before this oral tradition becomes a thing of the past. By doing so, he is helping to preserve Native American culture.

While the author is an “insider” from the perspective that he is a Native American, he is not a member of the Muskogee tribe (he is Abenaki). Still, he researched the background of the story well, which lends authenticity. The stories are Native American but as animals are the main characters, we do not have to deal with stereotypes and other issues frequently present in Native American literature.

The ball game is a significant element in Native American culture. These games were played in various forms by many of the Native American tribes/nations. And often these games would be played to settle an argument instead of going to war.

The use of talking animals with human characteristics is common in Native American folk tales. It seems to be an effective way of making a point or teaching a lessons about human nature. This also seems to fit in with the Native American tendency to respect nature and the environment.

The illustrations, by Susan Roth are created in collage with paper which she collected from all over the world. Some of the paper was handmade. They are interesting, creative and give a folk art “feel”. Children will enjoy the humorous looking animals.

This book is recommended for ages 4-8.

Review Excerpts: “This porquoi tale is told in clean, spare sentences with the emphasis on action and character.” (School Library Journal, 1994)

“With clear, minimal language, Bruchac. . . wisely lets the myth carry itself.” (Publisher’s Weekly, 1994)

Connections: Read other similar type stories by Joseph Bruchac: How Chipmunk got his Stripes, Turtle’s Race with Beaver, and Raccoon’s Last Race.