Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison

Four months have passed, and Molly has become accustomed to many aspects of life in the Indian village. Shining Star tells Molly that she is weaving a basket for her, and Molly is pleased. Molly puts Shining Star’s baby in his baby-board, and Shining Star explains the significance and reasoning behind the cultural practice of keeping the babies bound on the board.

As Shining Star explains how her baby, Blue Jay, will learn patience and courage from the forest creatures, she gently tries to encourage Molly to be brave as well. Molly is conflicted; one part of her “[steels] itself hard against the woman and all that she stood for” (186), while another part of her is drawn to her affection.

Shining Star, Molly and Blue Jay go to the corn field. Bear Woman explains that they need rain, and she appeals to the Thunder God to send rain. When a storm comes that evening, Molly is afraid, but the Indians are calm.

In the following weeks, the corn grows quickly. Hearing Shining Star admire the corn tassels, Molly realizes the meaning of her Indian name, Corn Tassel, and remembers the words of her father.