NOTICE: (Updated March 5, 2010)

Beginning December 19, 2009, Books 'N Border Collies will be posting but only intermittently while I pursue personal goals. I plan to share some reading I'm doing, but there will be no reviews. I will, however, be sharing my exploration of vegetarian cooking and the cookbooks and websites I use to educate myself. I hope you enjoy it!

Lezlie



Monday, December 15, 2008

Short Story: BLUE WINDS DANCING

by Tom Whitecloud

"Blue Winds Dancing" is the story of a young native American trapped living between two worlds, as a college [student] and a part of contemporary "white" society, as well as an Indian, a member of an ancient society. (Wikipedia)

This is the most beautiful short story I have every read. If they were all like this, I would have become a convert long ago. It just so happened that it's a bit of a Christmas story, so the timing of my coming across it was nice. But the real attraction for me was the torment the narrator feels over being accepted by "civilization" and the need to stay connected to his Indian roots, which are viewed as uncivil, even savage, but ultimately make him much happier.

As a person who is bothered deeply by our consumer-driven society but spoiled by many of the conveniences, I took much of the underlying commentary on that to heart. How much is enough and what is most important in our lives are questions we all must face every day. And I have a feeling if we were completely honest with ourselves, less would be more than we would ever need to be truly happy.


To read "Blue Winds Dancing" on line, click here.



4 comments:

Ladytink_534 said...

Sounds like a good story and the flip side of Tom Lehrer's Christmas Carol

Lezlie said...

Ladytink ~ LOL! That song is great! :-)

Lezlie

Teddy Rose said...

Wonderful review Lezlie. I am printing this story to read.

Lezlie said...

Teddy Rose ~ Stop back and let me know what you thought of it. I had never heard of this story before, but it's apparently pretty widely read in college lit courses.

Lezlie