{"id":26770,"date":"2026-04-10T10:49:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T17:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/?post_type=teachertoolkit&p=26770"},"modified":"2026-04-10T10:49:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T17:49:13","slug":"first-woman-and-the-strawberry","status":"publish","type":"teachertoolkit","link":"https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/teachertoolkit\/first-woman-and-the-strawberry\/","title":{"rendered":"First Woman and the Strawberry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Prompt: First Woman and the Strawberry (A Cherokee Legend)<\/em>, Retold by Gloria Dominic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Story Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a Cherokee story that explains how strawberry came to be created. The First Man and the First Woman had a disagreement and got angry with each other. The First Woman walked away and the First Man, upon realizing his mistake, tried to follow the First Woman but could not catch up to her. He asked different animals and the Great Spirit for help. The Great Spirit created several fruits on the First Woman\u2019s path to slow her down. Finally, she stopped when she came across the newly created strawberry plant. Upon eating the sweet strawberries, she overcame her anger and gathered the fruits to share with the First Man. When they came together to share the strawberries, they were reminded of the care and love they had for each other and reconciled. It is a tradition to have strawberry, strawberry jam, or a picture of strawberries in a Cherokee home as a reminder of shared love and care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warm-up Activity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Younger Students:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before reading the book, ask students to think of how they would describe \u201cstrawberry\u201d to someone who has never seen or eaten one (what characteristics are necessary\/sufficient to describe strawberry? How common is \u201csweetness\u201d used to describe strawberry in the group?) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Older Students: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before reading the book, ask students to reflect on what they know\/ideas they have about Cherokee people and from where they had their knowledge\/ideas. In small groups, ask students to compare, contrast, and reflect on their knowledge\/ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Main Activity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Read book (and watch the video – available on the video tab). You can also use the video on the Resources tab to have students here a Cherokee storyteller present the story in the form of oral tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allow students time to think about what aspects of the story they find interesting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guide students by asking the following questions: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About anger and disagreement: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n