The Thunder Egg

Stands-by-Herself is a young Cherokee girl who does not have many family or any friends. She enjoys being by herself, observing nature. She tells her grandmother she would like to fly away with the ducks.

On one of her nature walks, Stands-by-Herself finds a Thunder Egg. The Creator’s giant eagle has laid the egg, and it is very special. But, when Stands-by-Herself shows it to the other children, they laugh at her and say she can’t hatch an eagle from a rock. She cares for the thunder egg anyway, as if it is her own child.

By summer, no rain has fallen, and all the buffalo are gone. The people are starving. The holy man says a sacrifice needs to be made for the rains to return to their land. Stands-by-Herself decides to sacrifice her special egg for the good of her people. This is a story about personal sacrifice for the good of other people, and how one small child can bring happiness to those around her.

The Thunder Egg is a beautiful story with gorgeous pictures and coloring.