Summary

Chapter 4 is narrated by a deceased Cherokee man called Tsala. Tsala appears to persist on Earth as a type of spiritual messenger for the Cherokee people. Tsala was killed in 1838 by U.S. soldiers. Tsala briefly narrates a Cherokee legend of a Cherokee boy who had prophetic visions. The boy once prognosticated that the United States would not honor any of their treaties or agreements with the Cherokee, but instead would wage war on the Cherokee.

Chapter 5 is narrated by Maria and takes place on September 2. Maria is a retired social worker. She frequently volunteers at the local children’s shelter, but now is the first time that she and Ernest have agreed to be temporary foster parents. When Maria worked, she mostly did social work for Cherokee children/families. At the children’s shelter, some of the children are Native, and some are...