Stories the Silent Teachers

The story is true...about a little boy named Bob

A long time ago lived a boy named Bob who got on a bus every school morning and was taken to a mostly white school in town. His home was in the middle of the Colville Reservation in Washington State. I believe he went to school in Omak. One day he came home from school very upset.

His parents had visitors that day, but Bob was so upset he had to talk it out. He said to his parents he didn't want to go to school.

Bob said all the stories were about blond, blue-eyed, light-skinned children and families. He said it wasn't fair they didn't read stories about Indian children at school. Then he asked his father, "Where are our Indian books?” “I want to read our Indian stories!"

And his father said his Indian books were sitting on the couch. Bob's father pointed to the couch where several of Bob's uncles were seated and said, "Son, there are your Indian stories! They are sitting right there!"

I have loved this story ever since Bob, now in his 70's, told it to me and a few others many years ago. It speaks volumes, doesn't it? Listen to your books, and enjoy your stories.

Thank you Jackie H. for sharing this story.