The Iroquois people of Native American descent have a myth that shows the importance of animals to people. At this time, people dwelt above the sky. One day the daughter of the ruler in the community became sick. Instruction came from the healer to dig a hole and place her beside it. During the process of digging, the tree faltered in its root, falling into the hole and took the girl along with it. Two swans saw her and related to the incident to the Great Turtle who instructed that the animals take turns in helping her. Several of the animals died in the process, but it was the Old Lady Toad who went down to the whole and on coming out, spat out earth that expanded till the woman could be brought out of the hole.
This myth shows the importance of animals to people. They could save them from difficult situations.
From the book <em>Binding Memories, </em>women are regarded as important members of society because of their role in childbirth and as custodians of history.
The author used the idea of a book's spine as a metaphor to show that the narrator is in support of her sister's marriage.
