Age: 20

Date: 03/27/2025

Language: English

Nationality: Taiwanese/ Chilean

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: United States

1. Text:

“My grandpa used to tell me this story when I was little. He said that a long time ago, the night sky was completely dark — no stars, just blackness. People didn’t know when it was safe to travel, and they were always afraid of getting lost. But there was this girl — young, maybe my age at the time — and she decided to do something about it. She climbed up a mountain, carrying this big clay pot full of glowing stones. It was heavy, but she didn’t stop. When she finally reached the top, she threw the stones up into the sky, and they scattered and became stars. That’s why we can travel at night now. And the gods were so impressed that they gave her a star too — so she could keep watch over everyone from above.”

2. Context:

Told by J, who heard this myth from her grandfather when visiting her family in Chile. It was told as a creation story, and Jessica says she loved how it centered a girl as the hero. She said the myth helped her feel proud of being brave and of her cultural roots.

3. My Interpretation:

This myth beautifully blends cosmology with gendered heroism. Many creation myths center men, but this one presents a girl as the bringer of light — literally and symbolically. It reinforces the idea that girlhood and courage are not separate, and that folklore can reflect deep cultural values through simple stories.