The Indian in the Cupboard

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We'll pick up your drawing.

Hi, Mom.

- Bye, Rita.

- See you, honey.

- How was school today?

- OK.

- What did you do?

- Nothing.

- Who's at home?

- Nobody.

All right!

- What did you wish for?

- He can't tell.

- He can choose to.

- You never do.

I bet you wished for a skateboard.

- They got you the good one.

- Yes!

- Comes with this.

- Thanks, you guys.

I got you this.

I know what it is.

- Thanks, A.D.

- All righty.

Here we go.

- What's that?

- What a pretty cupboard!

- Where'd you get that?

- Found it.

- And you washed it?

- Yes, Mother.

- Thanks.

- No problem.

- Is there a key?

- There's no key.

- I have lots of keys.

- You save keys?

I've collected them

since I was a girl.

- Think it means anything?

- I didn't say that!

- I think she has secrets.

- What a sweet thing to say!

Watch out.

Guys, not inside. If you want

to ride, you'd better go now.

Not alone.

A. D?

All right. Let's go.

Here we go.

OK, watch this.

- I can do that.

- Piece of cake.

I got you something

to celebrate your birthday.

- It's like an antique.

- Yeah.

I couldn't do much, you know.

It just reminded me of you.

OK. See if one fits.

I love these guys.

- If one fits, can I have it?

- I'll give it to you.

Thanks.

- It works!

- Let me see.

My grandmother gave me that one.

She was dying

and had nothing to leave me...

so I picked up that key and I said

I wanted it more than anything.

- What will I put in the cupboard?

- Here. Put this in.

- Omri, let's read.

- OK

Did I know her, your grandma?

No, you didn't.

She would have loved you.

"Because he was...

"Chapter Eight, Michael.

"Because he was so small,

"Stuart was often hard to find

around the house.

"His father and his mother

and his brother George..."

- Seldom.

- "...seldom could locate him

"by looking for him.

"Usually, they had to call him.

"The house often...

echoed with cries of Stuart!

"Stuart..."

You hurt me.

- Hello.

- Demon!

- Demon?

- Giant!

- Me?

- Omri!

Omri, we're late.

Come on, buddy, hurry.

Come on.

Look for my bike shorts.

- Working on the house today?

- Yeah. Have a nice day.

- Please make a skylight.

- Goodbye, guys.

- Bye-bye, guys.

- Bye, Mum.

- I'll be right back.

- That wasn't too bad.

Pretty day.

- Did you forget something?

- Why?

- Did you?

- No.

...but the dad might open

a Chinese restaurant.

We've skimmed this chapter,

now let's have some discussion.

- Emily?

- Does Fudge's family want?

- I love the Indian. He's great.

- Why?

Omri, Patrick...

Hurry, Mum. Open the door.

You must be getting hungry.

We're home!

I think your mealy worms are dead.

They're in the pupa stage.

I've seen the pupa stage.

These suckers are dead.

Honey, you can start them again.

I'm sick. I'm tired.

Come on.

- I'm heading up.

- Gili going too?

- He's looking for his Walkman.

- OK.

How do you feel about skylights?

I won't hurt you.

- This is magic?

- I guess.

I think you are a dream.

- Are you a real Indian?

- I am Onondaga gah.

Wolf Clan. Iroquois.

Iroquois? I've heard of them.

Were you always this small?

I am not small. You are big!

But I'm not big. You're so small.

Can you be the Peacemaker?

I'm a boy. My name is Omri.

- The Great Spirit can be a child?

- Who are you?

Ohkwahe. Little Bear.

Little Bear.

- How do you know English?

- We know the English.

They sent for us

to fight the French for them.

When? What year?

- Year 1761.

- 1761?

Will you come out, Little Bear?

You are so real!

I am. Yes. Are you?

If it is magic... then magic

will take me home. I shall go now.

But you just got here.

Look. This is for you.

- What is it?

- It's a tepee. You know, a tepee.

I do not know.

- Terrible.

- It's plastic.

Plaz-teck... Plazteck.

- Terrible.

- I want to try. Wait.

You can sleep here.

You and I, we are together? Here?

We are here... together.

It's weird for me, too.

- Do you make it night now?

- It is night.

Yes, it is night.

I will be with you

when the sun rises?

I hope. Go to sleep now.

Sleep?

- You sleep?

- Yes.

It is magic.

Halt!

Great Omri... up.

A new day.

The day came without you.

Do you make more magic now?

Plazteck things?

- Make what?

- A white man's gun.

No way. What else?

Make King George.

I'd like to see him.

I don't have any kings.

Where is your fire?

How does your wife cook?

We're inside. We can't have a fire.

I don't have a wife.

Do you have a wife?

- She died.

- I'm sorry.

I have decided to stay.

- For a time.

- Really?

- Really.

- I'll make you a bow and arrow.

Good! Tools.

Also, I shall build a longhouse.

Onondaga gah do not sleep in tepee.

What's a longhouse?

The mother's house.

The clan home. It is made of wood.

I can find tools. How about a horse?

I can make you a horse.

- A horse?

- To ride.

Iroquois walk.

What is that?

Outside.

Take us outside, Earth Grasper.

Don't run away. Please.

This is the same as where I live.

We'd better go. Get in. Get in.

Get out! Go!

- I need bigger weapons.

- You're hurt.

Not much. I need husks.

Tie it tight. Stops the bleeding.

Husks... Where are the husks?

What are husks?

Don't be afraid. It's all right.

I'm a dream you're having.

Someone's hurt.

Hurt? Someone?

Well, I'm your man, then.

Let me have a look.

I can do this in my sleep, mate.

- Is he hurt bad?

- Dream, is it?

I should have guessed.

Am I asleep, what?

The whole rotten war's a nightmare.

No, it's not bad. We'll tape him up.

I'll be jiggered! A bloomin' Injun.

Englishman... Healer?

Me? Well, I never heard it

put that way. Yes, I am.

- I am a healer.

- You are, are you?

Well, that's something

we've got in common then, isn't it?

Yes. This is not much.

Do you have husks?

A bloomin' Injun!

A right rum dream this is.

I feel like I'm really in this dream.

Very real. Very clear. Exciting.

So... Custer's last stand, was it?

I know a bit.

You know, read up as a boy.

- You Sitting Bull.

- No.

How!

How!

There we go. That'll do.

- Thank you.

- Only doing my duty.

- Are you ready to wake up?

- I never want to wake up.

Mud, German shells, awful rats.

They eat at wounded men.

Still, can't desert, even in a dream!

How.

- Maybe you could dream us again.

- A pleasure.

Tommy Atkins at your service. Any

night except if there's an attack.

None of us gets any sleep then.

Got to win the damn war.

You up already? Feeling better?

I feel pretty damn good.

Really?

Come on down and eat breakfast.

You can build here.

- I need tools.

- Omri, come on down!

- Who is she?

- My mother.

The mother.

What would you like for breakfast?

Granola, please.

Have I died and gone to heaven?

With berries

and cranberry juice, please.

I have to go to school.

- What is school?

- Learn things - all day.

Good. Learn the stories

of your ancestors.

Go. I am ready to build.

- Need anything else?

- A hatchet.

Omri, let's go!

- Gili.

- I'm coming.

I'll miss you.

Come on, guys, let's go.

- See you later, Mum and Dad.

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