READERS GUIDE
Questions and Topics for Discussion
1. “Not a tahp achomowin, a true story, or an ahtyokayiwin, a sacred story, but rather it would be an achimowinisis, a small story written for a book.” (pxii) In the introduction, Campbell describes how she blended elements of storytelling and consulted Knowledge Keepers to write Little Badger and the Fire Spirit. How does the creation of the story reflect its themes of community, friendship, and sharing?
2. Little Badger and the Fire Spirit was first published in 1977. Did the story strike you as timeless? What felt contemporary or relevant today, especially for children?
3. The story begins with young Ahsinee by the fire with her grandparents, Kookoom and Mooshoom, and ends with a line that they “had so many stories to tell.” How are elders represented in the book? What role do they play in storytelling and preserving cultural knowledge?
4. “He taught him that everything on the earth—human, animal, insect or plant—had a purpose. This purpose was to serve and help each other.” (p24) Describe how Grey Coyote’s teachings carry through the story.
5. Grey Coyote brings a hundred of the tribe’s fastest runners to carry Little Badger on their shoulders forward towards the mountain, and to carry burning sticks back to the tribe. How does this relay symbolize collective action and responsibility?
6. When Little Badger meets the creatures who guard the Fire Spirit, he greets them with a gentle calm, respect, and peace. Discuss how they each react. How do the interactions compare to other myths or tales where creatures like the Rattlesnake are slain and dominated?
7. Compare traditional hero narratives with Little Badger. How is heroism defined in the story?
8. Little Badger’s quest to bring fire and warmth to his people is only made possible by the kindness and support of others around him. What does Campbell suggest about the responsibilities of the individual and the collective?
9. “Suddenly Little Badger smiled. He knew Grey Coyote’s magic drum was his heartbeat. The other drums were the beating hearts of all living things.” (p81) How is interconnectedness woven thematically throughout Little Badger?
10. The Fire Spirit tells Little Badger, “Do not thank me for it, Little Brother. You shared your warmth with me, and I will share mine with you.” (p74) Consider the values and teachings Campbell illustrates in the story. Which ones impacted you most as a reader?
