Carla Ann Kuchard has created a charming little tale of a young Native girl's chance meeting with Laura Secord. While picking strawberries, eleven year old Lucy is surprised to discover a stranger resting under a tree. As Lucy approaches her, the lady invites her to sit and talk. The two become instant friends. Laura has been traveling by foot since daybreak and gratefully accepts the girl's offer of strawberries and a drink of water.
As the new friends part ~ as Laura has an important message that must be delivered before dusk ~ they exchange gifts. Lucy gives Laura her "good-luck" doll, beautifully dressed, wearing bead-worked moccasins. Laura gives her young friend a dainty handkerchief.
After Laura disappears into the forest, Lucy unfolds the handkerchief. To her delight it is edged in embroidery. In all four corners tiny red stitches ~ strawberries!
[Available at The Neat Little Bookshop, all proceeds go to the Thorold and Beaverdams Historical Society.]
Note: Be sure to read "the other Maria's" comment on Lucy's Special Day.