Mabel's deep sadness permeates the slave quarters after her children are sold, leaving her unable to bring joy to the children around her. As whispers of her sorrow circulate among the young ones, Mabel grapples with her grief yet finds the courage to embark on a transformative journey. This tale explores themes of resilience, hope, and the quest for happiness amidst despair, as Mabel seeks a new life filled with excitement and peace.
The night was cold, as cold as her feelings. A young slave mother named Mabel sewed all night. Her candlelight creation yielded a crude Rag Doll, a gift for her youngest daughter, Natty. She knew when the sun rose, she would see her child for the last time. Her heart was heavy. She named the doll Eugene, the name of Natty's father. This way, she thought, the child would always remember her roots. As the wagon drifted out of sight the young child said, "Her name is Eugene Mamma Mabel" - a remembrance of both her parents. Thus began the story of a Rag Doll named Eugene, and the legacy of a family from slavery through civil rights.