Our class spent weeks learning about the solar system. We discovered that Jupiter has sixteen moons and that Saturn has seven ri
ngs. We built models that hung from our ceiling. They illustrated the location of each planet around the Earth. Every time I looked up at the models, I wondered how scientists knew so much about the planets. Just looking at them reminded me of some Native American legends Mrs. Garcia, our neighbor, had imparted to me. 2 When I was in third grade, we studied the cultures of the Native Americans. It was then that I learned that Mrs. Garcia was from the Maidu tribe of Native Americans. From that point on, I started making excuses to go across the street to hear some of Mrs. Garcia's stories. "According to a myth from the Maidu culture, the Earth was created by the spirit called Earth Initiate," she explained. "Earth Initiate sent a turtle to search for land under the water." 3 I imagined a cartoon–like turtle, diving into the water wearing scuba gear or something. "Earth Initiate tied a rope to the turtle so it would not get lost. The turtle went into the water and did not find the land for six years. When it returned, it was covered in green seaweed. It had sand jammed under its nails. According to legend, Earth Initiate took the sand from his nails and rolled it into a ball that grew and grew. The ball eventually swelled so big that it became the Earth," exclaimed Mrs. Garcia. 4 I realize that scientists frown at these explanations. However, they cannot take away the joy I felt when I heard the legends. I was especially fascinated by Mrs. Garcia's legend about how the Sun and the Moon got their beginning. 5 "The Moon and the Sun were brother and sister and lived in a big stone house. They stayed in the house and did not move across the sky. Animals tried to talk them into leaving their home to rise into the sky, but they did not. It was a gopher and a worm that made the difference. They both made a tunnel under the ground and up into the stone house. The gopher brought a bag of fleas that he let loose inside the house. After suffering from flea bites, the Sun and the Moon decided to leave the house. When they exited, the Sun grew fearful of the night. The Moon was uncomfortable during the day. They decided to take turns enjoying life outside of the home. Therefore, the Sun came out during the day and the Moon at night." 6 The excitement of knowing the legends and myths that explain beginnings always entertained me. However, I must admit, that learning what science has to say about such things answers many questions with evidence. Either way, it is fun to learn about the Earth and the solar system. The narrator's curiosity affects the resolution of the text because he — A. realizes that there is more than one way to learn B. understands that Mrs. Garcia needs company and friendship C. enjoys learning in the classroom and at Mrs. Garcia's D. appreciates the Maidu tribe's imaginative legends
