Chapter 13 Summary

This chapter tells the story of Samuel-Builds-a-Fire. Samuel is one of the very rare Indians that have not had a sip of alcohol in the past and he has respectable job as a maid at motel. On his birthday, he is excited and decides to show up for work a half an hour early. Samuel-builds-a-fire arrives to work only to discover that he is being let go: he is saddened by this news and finds himself in a bar.

Samuel-Builds-a-Fire is a profound storyteller and makes some money telling stories to his friends. The man always remained sober in the past because he thought that alcohol would lessen the greatness of his stories.

Samuel-builds-a-fire has not had anything to drink in the past because he has witnessed its vengeance upon many on the reservation. The man has watched his brothers, sisters, and friends...