Feathers

Rumors and gossip can be permanent and damaging. The victim’s reputation is harmed, and the trust in the community erodes. In this traditional folktale from Eastern Europe, a gossip is brought before a wise rabbit, who must teach her with a suitable lesson. His clever solution demonstrates vividly the consequence and permanence of words spoken in haste. It is easy to spread gossip, but impossible to take it back. Heather Forest’s rhythmic retelling reflects the pathos of the story and the wisdom of the rabbi. Marcia Cutchin’s bright watercolor palette captures the activity of a traditional Jewish shtetl, where one person’s business is everyone’s business. This folktale from Eastern Europe teaches readers the importance of citizenship, trustworthiness and caring.