Chapter 6, "To Know The Past" Summary

Little Tree's grandparents tell him it is important that he learns of the past. Without it, he can have no understanding of his future. They proceed to tell him about the history of his family and his tribe. He learns how the Cherokee once farmed the rich surrounding valleys, held harvest festivals, prepared for the winter hunt, and learned The Way. Little Tree also learns how their land was stolen by the government, under false pretenses, and that the Cherokee Nation was forced out of the mountains and valleys, driven together like cattle by army soldiers and moved to new lands on a journey called the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee had pride. They looked straight ahead, not down, as they marched; and they refused rides in the soldiers' wagons, no matter how sick or...