Thursday, February 5, 2009

9. Salt

Title: Langton, Jane. Translated by Alice Plume. Salt: from a Russian Folktale by A.N. Afanasyev. New York: Hyperion, c1992.
Summary: A merchant gives his 2 older sons ships to seek their fortunes by trading. He calls his youngest son Ivan the Fool, because Ivan asks so many seemingly silly questions. At first, he doesn't want to give Ivan a ship of his own, but at last he accedes to his pleadings. Ivan has the smallest ship, the poorest cargo, and the tiniest knife, but sets off on his journey. Blown off course in a storm, Ivan lands on an island with a white mountain. The mountain proves to be made of salt, a commodity more precious than any other. Ivan goes to the Tsar's Palace and saves the Tsar's ailing daughter by teaching the Tsar's cook how to season soup to make it tasty. The Tsar's daughter Marushka falls in love with Ivan and they are married. They sail off, and come upon Ivan's older brothers, who have not fared well in their trading. Ivan generously invites them aboard his ship, where they are consumed by jealousy over his good fortune and his beautiful bride. The brothers toss Ivan overboard, causing Marushka to weep so many salt tears that the ship begins to flood and sink. Ivan does not drown, but reaches land, where he encounters a giant, whom Ivan tricks into walking around the world back to his father's house. There he finds Marushka, now betrothed to one of his brothers. But Ivan reclaims his wife and at last earns his father's respect for his miraculous discovery of the salt mountain.
Cultural origins and how identified: According to the book's title and colophon information, the tale is Russian.
Audience: The tale is appropriate Kindergarten-Grade 4 [ages 5-10] according to School Library Journal review. In my opinion, it's too complex for kindergarteners; I'd reserve it for older listeners, probably 3rd grade and up. This would be a nice addition to a multicultural reading night at a school.
Notes on adaptation for telling: What I like best is the introduction of the tale, told by a cat, who sings and purrs to tell the story; I would definitely include that aspect of this version. At the end of the book, the cat sings a song to conclude the tale.

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