The Education of Little Tree Page #4

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by a Mrs. Martha McCullers.

- Damn!

- Aunt Martha?

She alleges that you're not

sending your grandson to school,

in violation of state and

federal codes, and that...

...you have involved him

in illegal activities.

In short, it states that...

Are you sure...?

...that you are unfit guardians

and he should be removed

to a suitable place for his

moral and educational upbringing.

- He's going to her, then?

- Who?

No.

He's on the Cherokee rolls and

therefore is officially an Indian.

I am?

As such, he will be sent

to Notched Gap Indian School

to board there until the age of 18.

You have 30 days to appeal

the decision in court.

Otherwise...

We have to go.

Elizabeth?

All you have to do is come

here the next circuit I make,

I'll have the cease and desist lawyered

out, and you put your mark to it.

You follow me, Bobby?

All right, then.

- Wales.

- Mr. Taylor.

You been in jail, I recall.

Whiskey-making.

Once.

I could take this to court, sure.

But it wouldn't do no good.

The bureaucrats that

run these things

don't understand mountain

people, nor Indians neither.

I don't think them sons of

b*tches understand anything at all.

We'd lose. They'll take the boy.

I'll not be coming.

You heard of the Dog

Star, Little Tree?

It's the brightest star you

can see in the dusk of evening.

Understand?

Good. Well, then...

Wherever you may be

in the dusk of evening,

you look up at the Dog Star.

Me and Granpa, we'll be looking, too.

Willow John as well.

Whatever you have to tell us,

we'll hear you then. All right?

- You're this close to learnin' the Way.

- I am?

- Don't you let go of it.

- No, sir. I won't.

You been good.

- I'm going away.

- Me too.

- Where?

- Depends on the turtle dove.

- We ain't heard him yet.

- What's he going to say?

He don't say nothin', silly.

He's a bird!

It depends on the direction he

calls from. That's where we move.

- Don't you know that?

- Wasn't no turtle dove that called me.

Where are you goin'?

Here.

- For me?

- You can put 'em on.

Granma made 'em from the calf's hide.

They didn't cost nothin'.

They's a perfect fit.

They's soft.

My daddy.

Thank you.

Daddy!

Look what Little Tree gave me.

- You stand there.

- Daddy, no!

- Please!

- Turn around.

Gimme those moccasins.

We don't take no charity from

nobody, 'specially from no Indians.

Come on, now. We're goin', here.

Come on!

He'll be along any time now.

Did she get the shoes OK?

She said they's the best present

anybody ever thought to give.

Granma'll be glad to hear it.

Hi. How nice you look.

Here, I want you to wear this.

So there'll be no confusion.

All right?

He'll be along any time.

I'll be back... directly.

We have to go.

Do you speak English?

- Yes, ma'am.

- Good.

- Do you see that gate?

- Yes, ma'am.

When you step through that gate,

you shall not speak Indian again.

Is that clear?

- Yes, ma'am.

- Follow me.

Actually, I can't speak

no Indian hardly at all.

Except Granma did tell me

the names of her medicinals.

Some in Indian, but I can only

recollect one or two at best.

The one that's kind of green, and

you scrape it off the sourwood tree.

Now that one's called... nvoki.

I think it could be a mushroom.

I ain't totally sure...

All right.

Come with me.

You are going to see the headmaster.

Be quiet, don't cry,

and be respectful.

I ain't never been...

And do not speak unless he

asks you a direct question.

Do you understand?

- Yes, ma'am.

- Good.

Come.

Stop swinging your legs.

You speak English, I'm told.

- Was that a direct question?

- What?

'Cause if it was, I could

tell you, "Yes, sir. I do. "

Yes, well...

They call you Little Tree.

Have you had an intelligence test?

- No, sir.

- No.

Anyhow, Little Tree

is an Indian name.

Americans don't name

children after...

...objects.

This is an American school.

Therefore, you will be

given an American name.

And that will be...

...Joshua.

Do you understand, Joshua?

- No, sir.

- You will.

Quiet! Quiet down and go to bed.

Put it on and get into bed. You'll

be up bright and early in the morning.

Prayers.

- Goodnight, boys.

- Goodnight, Mrs. Higgenbotham.

Not another peep.

Granma and Granpa...

I'm OK.

They've taken my clothes

and cut most of my hair off,

and given me an American name,

but I'm still Little Tree.

I ain't never gonna let that go.

Up! Everybody up!

I know you're awake, Wilburn.

Get up or I'll get the strap.

Wilburn!

Say what? Somebody talking to me?

Begin!

They don't give you none for dinner.

- Hey, kid.

- Come on!

- Your name ain't Joshua.

- Fat man gave me it.

Fat man! What's it really?

- Little Tree.

- Little Tree?

No kiddin'? That's what

I'm gonna call you, then.

Give Mrs. Big Bottom conniptions.

Ball! Come on kid, throw the ball!

Throw the ball!

Wanna play?

Come on, come and play!

- You can go play.

- Nah.

Suit yourself. I don't give a damn.

Two times eight is...

Two times nine is...

Two times hen is...

Time.

All right? Time, Wilburn.

Little Tree. What's two times hen?

Wilburn! Stop, or you get a zero.

Now, who can tell me what

animals are in the first picture?

- Rabbits!

- Very good.

- And what are they doing?

- Laying down...

Blah, blah, blah, blah!

And what are the next animals?

- Deer!

- Very good.

- And what are they doing?

- They're running...

Blah, blah, blah!

They're matin'.

You can see right off they're matin'.

The buck deer is jumpin' the does.

You can tell by the trees

it's the time of year...

Joshua,

do you know what you have done?

No, sir.

Then you'll have time to

think about it, won't you?

Did they say how long

till I can come out?

I know what I done was

bad, I come to realize it.

You can tell the headmaster

and the lady teacher, too.

Tell them that Little

Tree, I mean Joshua...

tell them Joshua stands ready

to make amends, all right?

And tell them that

I stand ready to...

...make it right.

Granpa and Granma, and Willow John,

some time ago now,

I ain't sure how long,

the headmaster locked

me in this little room.

He says I've got to stay in here

until I know what I done wrong.

I have no way in the

world of figurin' that out.

I didn't mean to worry you none,

as I should be old enough

to get by without your help.

I found a piece of glass in

here, all round and clear.

Turns the Dog Star blue

when you look through it.

Granpa,

I don't think I can handle

this situation no way at all.

I want to come home.

Joshua? You can come out now.

Today is Thanksgiving.

Nice people from the town have

come to put on a play for us.

Joshua?

What?

No provisions in the larder, and

the cold days drawing ever closer.

I am sorely afeared

that we shall starve ere the

spring breezes stir the land again.

No!

white man show way of God to us,

and in thanks we give to him

much food and warm clothes...

I've been saving it for you.

Did they give you

bread and water?

I heard that's all they give

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