The small Navajo boy slowly woke to the sounds of his hogan home coming to life. Grandfather could be heard outside chopping wood for the breakfast fire. Grandmother was preparing frybread. The red potatoes would soon hit the hot grease in the frying pan. The boy stretched, he was comfortable, why rise off his sheep skin bed. His name was Early Walker Nez. Why his name was Early he didn’t know. Grandfather’s name was Walker. He was named after the owner of the trading post. Nez means tall in Navajo. And grandfather was tall. Grandmother was wise, you could see it in her eyes. Grandmother and Grandfather never mentioned Early’s parents. It didn’t matter. He was a happy boy. Also to ask would be considered rude. It was also rude to ask an elderly what they were thinking about or of days gone by. But if they chose to tell, then you must stay very quiet, eyes cast down and not interrupt. Early would take the sheep out to graze after he ate. He and the sheep were friends. They trusted him to keep them safe. A few goats went along. The goats were trouble makers, they could lead the sheep astray.
That night Early sat by the fire watching Grandfather sip his hot coffee. Something was on his mind. Grandfather was deep in thought. Early tried to think what it could be about. Was grandfather going to give Early a horse of his own? Early waited. Then grandfather spoke. What he said frightened Early. There is a place called school grandfather said, and you are going there. Early wanted to ask “why” but that would be considered rude. A few days later Grandfather told Early to wash himself all over then Grandmother would comb his long hair and fold it into a bun. The bun would be held tight with wool strings from their own sheep. The morning came, grandfather and Early rode side by side to the place called school. Early was scared. But he was Navajo, he was taught to never show fear. At school he sat on a chair for the first time. His sheep skin at home was much more comfortable. The teacher had blue eyes like the sky. She talked but Early didn’t understand her. Early decided by the end of the day the person called teacher was kind, so he called her Skyy Eyes. Her eyes were the color of the sky. Early never saw such a thing. Weeks and months went by. Early missed very few days at school, infact he looked forward to each new experience. He was learning to speak another language called English. Grandfather and grandmother were proud of him. He learned a game called baseball. One day the teacher brought art paper to class. She said to draw anything the student wished. Early got lost in his art. Later teacher said he was a real artist. Early smiled at Skyy Eyes.
One day months later teacher said a surprise was soon to appear. The students were excited. Soon they heard the rumble of a wagon outside. A large box was brought into the class room. The students gathered around. Inside the box was a thing with black and white teeth. Soon the teacher was making the teeth sing. Some children were scared. Early wasn’t scared. He was drawn to the sound. That night while Grandfather and grandmother sat eating Early told them about the singing teeth. They wondered if it was wise for Early to attend such a strange place. Early told them about Skyy Eyes friend she called Jesus. He is God’s son and He loves us Early proclaimed. The black and white teeth sing about Him. Then another surprise happened. It was called Christmas. Skky Eyes friend “Jesus” had a birthday. Teacher gave each student a gift bag. Inside was a new pencil, some strange nuts and a ball Early ate called Orange. Early was so happy at school, so many wonderful things to see and learn.
Early loved the place called school. He wished he could go every day. On a no school day grandmother told Early the sheep were ready to go out of the corral and graze. She gave him a piece of frybread for later. Then she said, when you are out there with the sheep don’t look up at the crows. They can make you go blind. Early was thinking about school. Two more days and he could return.
The next morning Early smelled coffee, he could hear grandmother making frybread. He could hear grandfather chopping wood, and the sweet smell of cedar warmed the hogon. But what he could not do was see. He rubbed his eyes he blinked his eyes then he cried out to grandmother. She held him in her arms, she asked Early if he looked up at the crows. He nodded yes, I forgot what you told me. Now I am blind!
Early stayed home for a long time. He was lonely. One day some people came to visit. Grandmother and grandfather were not happy about it. There is a school that can help Early they said. Grandmother and Grandfather were against it, Early stayed home. Much later some missionaries arrived. They knew Skyy Eyes friend Jesus. Early wanted to go with the missionaries and he did. Now as a young man he sat at a piano and a miracle happened. Early’s ears taught him music, he could play almost any instrument they handed him.
The Indian children loved Early and together they loved Jesus. Skky Eyes people became his people. Soon Early was telling his Navajo people about Jesus in songs. He made puzzles with the children. Early could feel the puzzle piece and where it fit. Early loved doing puzzles with the children. Early lives in Heaven now with many of his new family. Grandmother and Grandfather turned their backs on Early and his new friend Jesus. But Early was given a new family that helped him grow and learn.
Another Christmas is coming. More Indian children are waiting for a gift bag. Could you help us bring joy to them?
In memory of Early and his love of puzzles could you help us give a NEW 1000 piece puzzle to each of our Indian children this year as a gift? Nature puzzles Great! But no bears, owls or snakes. Earlys life story was told to Sylvia Webb many years ago by Early.
My daughter and I thank you for being with us in Spirit as we travel the trails into homes and schools.
With Much Love and Appreciation,
Sylvia and Sylvia
Indian Mobile Mission 