Question

Esquivel knows the story of maiz is a myth, so why does she warn her daughter not to step on a kernel of corn?

Answer 1

The reason is because corn is a great symbol of fertility. It will be a reckless action for her to step on a symbolism of it. She would not want to harm her daughter by failure of not doing so.

Answer 2

Laura Esquivel is a Mexican writer, famously known for having written: "Como agua para chocolate" (Like water for chocolate).

In one of her texts, she describes how magical and unique were her experiences early as a child when being part of the "ceremony" her mother and grandmother would make in order to prepare the food they were going to eat. In one of those occasions, she was warned by one of the Help not to step on a corn kernel because the God of the Corn was inside it and she had to be respectful to it. Later,  she moved away, left the kitchen stories behind, and learned all sorts of things. Among them, she realized the God of Corn belonged to the primitive magical thinking (mythic belief system of the native communities) of humans which has no place in the rational, scientific and modern world. Nevertheless, within the years, she saw herself repeating not only the steps to cook a certain dish but also the stories the women of her family would tell her. That way she integrated her past with the cooking and found herself stopping her own daughter from stepping on a kernel of corn, because, as she was taught, there it was the God of Corn.  She learned to give the food the importance it was given many many years ago, especially the corn, which was a symbol of life, fertility and prosperity for the ancient Mexicans.