The Education of Little Tree Page #2

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Now the Cherokee, they

had nothing left, did they?

They had no homes, no

farms, no land, nothin'.

- But they would not ride.

- Damn right.

So they did save something

from it, didn't they?

They couldn't see it, they couldn't

wear it, they couldn't eat it.

But they did save something.

They would not ride.

- They walked.

- Yes.

It was a long walk

and as they got farther and

farther from their mountains,

they began to die.

At first, it was just the

very young and the very old,

and the soldiers stopped to let

the Cherokee bury their dead.

But then more began to die.

They died by the

hundreds, by the thousands.

The soldiers said, "Put your dead in

the wagons and we'll carry them for you. "

- But did they?

- No, sir.

No.

The Cherokee would not put

their dead in the wagons.

They carried 'em, walking. Yes...

The man carried his dead wife,

the son carried his dead momma,

and the little boy

carried his baby sister.

The white people lined up along

the trail to watch them pass by.

Some of them people began to cry

and that's why they call

it the Trail of hears.

But the Cherokee did not cry.

They did not speak,

they did not look.

They walked on.

But by some magic that I don't know,

some managed to escape

and make their way back,

staying off the trail, until

they found their mountains again.

And they went far back

into them and time went on.

By and by, the white man

forgot about them and passed by,

and finally left them in peace.

And that's you,

Little Tree. That's us.

That's where you come from,

and that's why we're here.

Well, now!

I reckon Willow John likes you.

- He left it for me?

- Looks like it.

- But I didn't get to thank him.

- He didn't do it for thanks.

He gave it to you 'cause you deserve it.

That don't call for no show, does it?

- I suppose not. But shouldn't I...?

- Go on to bed now.

Long day tomorrow.

Take them big shoes off,

for once and for all.

They're finally ready.

They're still wet!

You put 'em on wet and walk 'em dry.

That way they fit like

they growed on your feet.

Got rid of them clobbers,

did you? Just in time.

Got a long, heavy haul

down to the settlement.

How many jars you

reckon you can tote?

- How many in all?

- Thirteen.

Two to keep, for medicinals.

That makes... what number?

- Eleven to go.

- All right. Try it now.

- What say I put two in the sack for you?

- Three.

You're sure, now? If I put in

three, that's how many you'll carry.

- Three.

- All yours.

Don't feel like nothin' at all.

That new knife kind of

balances things out, don't it?

- How do them moccasins feel?

- Like they growed on my feet!

Now, that there is Jenkins' store.

You got good eyes. Tell me, is

there a pickle barrel out front?

- No, only some men sitting.

- That's the sign to come on in.

Pickle barrel means the law.

That's another thing to remember.

I guess new fortune's

on its way. Howdy, Wales!

- Who's the little fellow?

- My grandson, Little Tree.

Hey, Little Tree!

It was Wednesday... No...

It was Tuesday, for I'd been playing

at a dance on the Monday night.

I come through the settlement

and I seen Smokehouse,

Turner, you know, police.

I'm talking with Smokehouse

and this big shiny car comes

pulling into the filling station.

It hit me right off! I said to

myself, that's a big-city criminal.

Smokehouse asked him,

"Where you from?"

He says, "Chicago. "

Meantime, pulling

Smokehouse aside, I say,

"He says he's from Chicago, but

he's got an Illinois tag on his car. "

Old Smokehouse come down

on him like Judgment Day!

He was jumpin' and sayin' to him...

Let's give it the acid

hest, Wales. Here we go.

Elegant!

Hey, Little Tree, come over here.

Thank you.

Would you do an old man a favor

and go out to the woodpile and

fill the sack with woodchips?

Getting mighty low. I appreciate it.

What's them things on your feet?

Moccasins.

Can I touch 'em?

Suppose.

- They's soft.

- Yep.

- You're an Indian, then.

- I'm working at it.

You been inside that there store?

They got dolls in there?

Expect so. Almost near everything.

- Would you look and find out for me?

- S'pose.

Pa says he's gonna buy me one

as soon as we get our share...

- Share of what?

- What?

You know, the share.

The share of tobacco you pick, dummy.

I ain't never picked

no tobacco before.

That's 'cause Indians are

lazy and don't work none.

- What's this I'm doing, then?

- I ain't saying it's your fault.

You're just... different, that's all.

I mean, look at the color of you.

Come ahead, put yours up.

Come on.

- Which one do you like better?

- I don't know.

Do you like mine?

Yours is dirty.

All right, now. Me and Mr.

Jenkins is all settled up.

So I figured out your cut

of the deal here. 50 cents.

- Mine?

- We're partners, ain't we?

- But...

- You done the work, you get the pay.

That's how it is.

Let's get it over with.

Well... this morning, God is truly

shining his beatific light on us.

It is said that he also

serves who stands and waits.

Lord knows we've been

standing here a long time.

But today, our prayers are answered.

A great man is about to arrive

and bless us with his words,

all the way from Washington City.

Our own Congressman, the

poor man's best friend,

Johnny Mack Stoddard!

Above all the churches in

East Tennessee, he chose ours.

I think the Christian thing to do

is to get up and march out there

so he can see his chosen

people as he drives up.

And...

Stand up, now!

How are you, reverend?

Hey, how are you?

Thank you for coming.

Can I shake your hand?

Nice to see you. How are

you? Good to see you as well.

Hey, how are you? All

right, bye for now.

Right this way, John.

Up I go!

My friends, my fellow Tennesseans,

sons and daughters

of the great pioneers

who fought their way

through forest and mountain

to found this rich land,

that has been given with good

heart and trust to myself,

your humble servant.

I come here today to tell you of a

mighty battle I'm fighting for you...

- Like my calf, kids?

- Yes, sir.

Go on ahead! Pet him all you

want. Won't hurt him none.

- Would you like to take him home?

- Yeah.

- You got any money?

- No.

Well, now...

Ain't that a cryin' shame.

- I got some.

- How much is some?

- 50 cents.

- Where did you get 50 cents?

This calf's worth more than

a hundred times that much.

Yes, sir. I wasn't

figuring to buy him.

Well, I'm a Christian man, son.

Somehow, even costing

me all this calf's worth,

I figure you ought to have him,

the way he's taken up with you.

I wasn't gonna take him, mister.

Don't worry about me

none. It's for the best.

Thank you, sir. I didn't mean...

I said, where did you get 50 cents?

- Did I take advantage of him?

- No, that's what Christian people do.

You reckon? Well then,

I guess he's mine.

I gotta go show my granpa!

- You can come up and visit him.

- I can?

If you want.

I can fight for you against

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