Storytelling: The Deer Mother- an ancient folktale re-told

The Deer Mother story can be traced back to ancient times and is linked to folklore around the Winter Solstice.

Only fragments of the folktale remain so Danny used his story writing skills to piece together what could be found of the remains of the story with his own offering, while trying to ensure the message and the context remained.

In this story the animals are trapped in the harshest and darkest winter, the night seems to go on forever and something must be done or life in the forest is in danger. The great bear asks for an animal to head south and bring back the sun goddess but who will go?

The Reindeer volunteers and is blessed by the bear, but all is not what is seemed- who is Reindeer, will it make it in time and will the forest be saved?

After listening to this story consider the following questions and plan for future activities:

1- The winter solstice is the longest night of the year and northern countries would often celebrate this as every day from then on until the summer solstice grows longer and longer. The Winter Solstice is on December 21st and has often been celebrated by telling stories around a fire outdoors. This winter solstice build your own fire in the garden and celebrate the return of the light.

2- Before the story did you know that only the female reindeer keep their antlers in the winter? Can you think why? Put on your detective hat and find out why.

3- Some say that this story is the origin of the the story of Rudolph but is Rudolph a boy or a girl?