The Turkey Girl

by Penny Pollock

“The Turkey Girl” is the most beautifully written version of Cinderella that I have read and the saddest. In this Native American tale from the Zuni tribe of Arizona, the main character does not live with anyone. In keeping with the culture of her Indian tribe, orphaned ‘Turkey Girl’ lives alone. She survives by tending the flocks of turkeys owned by members of her tribe. She has no stepmother, no stepsisters, no family, and no name of her own. She exists on the charity of her tribe members but has only the turkeys for friends. Her life is solitary and bleak.

Along came a big tribal dance, and the girl dreams of going. Instead of a fairy godmother, Turkey Girl is granted her wish by the now mystical turkeys that have powers to dress her in turquoise, gold, silver, and clothing superior to the other tribal members. The turkeys only ask that the girl return to tend them by dawn. Turkey girl is warned that if she does not return by dawn, she will be considered to have betrayed her friends.

The girl predictably goes to the dance, looks beautiful, and stays too long. When she does finally return to tend the turkeys, her only true friends, they are gone. The Turkey Girl is not forgiven; she is abandoned by the turkeys as unfaithful. No reprieve.

Ed Young illustrated this powerful story of promises made and broken in oil crayon and pastels. The drawings are hazy, mystical, and suggestive. Even the beautifully transformed Turkey Girl dressed for the big dance is hinted at rather than clearly drawn. This hazy style reinforces the mystical overtones of the text.