Daddy Joe's fiddle

"Daddy Joe's Fiddle" by Faith Bickford is a touching tale from the early 1900s about Chee, a young girl carrying the legacy of her father, Daddy Joe, and his cherished fiddle. It's a story woven with threads of affection, personal understanding, and negotiating different cultures, as Chee, with her mixed Native American and European background, copes with the stern discipline of her Aunt Mean. The story follows Chee as she stumbles upon Daddy Joe's hidden fiddle and dreams of filling the air with his music. Though her aunt frowns upon it, Chee's love for playing intensifies, and she seeks lessons from the local minister and his wife. Her musical gift captivates the town, and through her melodies, Chee not only discovers her own self but also unites her family and neighborhood. The narrative crescendos in an emotional performance that shifts perspectives and mends aged hurts, predominantly those of Aunt Mean. Chee’s devotion to Daddy Joe’s fiddle represents her deep ties to her background and the magic of melodies to break down walls.