SchemaSchema

““The Invisible Warrior”The Invisible Warrior”

A Native American Folk TaleA Native American Folk Tale

ReviewReview

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Another word for Another word for schemaschema is … is … SchemaSchema is… is… I can use I can use schemaschema to help to help

me…me…

ActivityActivity Today we will read a folk tale called Today we will read a folk tale called “The “The

Invisible Warrior”Invisible Warrior” to build to build schemaschema for your for your Native American unit.Native American unit.

I want you to do two things while we read:I want you to do two things while we read:

1. Activate your 1. Activate your schemaschema for a story that for a story that is similar to is similar to “The Invisible Warrior.”“The Invisible Warrior.”

2. Think about what this tribe values. 2. Think about what this tribe values. It will give you It will give you schemaschema for this for this

tribe.tribe.

The Invisible Warrior

A Native American Story

Retold by Lin Donn Illustrated by Phillip Martin

The Invisible Warrior Native Americans taught their

children about good behavior by using folk tales, myths, and legends to make a point.

This folk tale is from an Eastern Woodland tribe. Similar folk tales appear in many cultures, but each one reflects the culture of the people telling the story.

A long time ago, there lived a great warrior. There were many stories about this strange and magical warrior.

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

One story said he could make himself invisible. He could wander among the enemies of the tribe and hear all of their war plans.

Another story told of his great loneliness. The only person who could see the invisible warrior was his sister. He loved his sister, but he wanted a wife who was gentle and truthful.

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

He vowed he would not marry until he found a maiden, besides his sister, who could truly see him.

He used a trick to see if the maidens could truly see him. He had his sister lead each maiden towards him as he pulled his sled.

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

His sister asked each woman if she could see the invisible warrior. “Oh, yes!” each maiden replied. “What is he pulling? “His sled!” they answered. Everyone knew that!

“How is the sled tied?” the sister would ask. One said with strong rope. Another said with strong vines. Still another said with strong leather.

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

Since none of the answers were correct, the invisible warrior knew they had lied.

Maiden after maiden attempted to marry the famous warrior, but none passed the test.

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

The invisible warrior thought about talking to the chief. The chief had three daughters. Maybe he could marry one of them.

The two oldest sisters were very cruel. The youngest, however, was kind and gentle.

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

Jealous of her beauty, her sisters rubbed her face with hot coals, scarring her face. They cut her long hair. They made her do all the work, theirs as well as her own. If she refused, they told lies about her to their father. The youngest was too gentle and afraid to complain.

All of the chief’s daughters wanted to marry The Invisible Warrior because he was magical.

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

The two oldest sisters came to the meeting place. One said his sled was tied with a strong braid of human hair. The other said it was tied with mighty branches. Neither answer was correct, so the warrior sent them back to their father.

When her work was done for the day, the youngest sister arrived at the meeting place, just as the sun was setting. When asked how his sled was tied, her face lit up with pleasure. “With a rainbow,” she answered softly.

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

With joy, The Invisible Warrior knew he had found his wife at last.

As time passed, the chief’s youngest daughter gave birth to a strong son. Her hair grew long. Her scars disappeared. Her life was full and happy.  

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

To her, the warrior was not invisible; everyone could see, if they simply looked. Her warrior was the most wonderful man in the world!

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

The invisible warrior and his wife lived happily together for the rest of their lives.

As for the two ugly sisters, they lived together in a tent – unmarried, unloved, and ignored. As the years went on, many stories were told of the ugly sisters’ unhappiness.

The Invisible WarriorThe Invisible Warrior

When maidens heard the stories,they vowed never to be mean again.

QuestionsQuestion: What fairy tale does this story remind you of?

Question: What trait does this tribe value in women?

Question: What new schema do you have from the story or the activity?