The Boy of the Painted Cave by Justin Denzel Read Free Book Online Page A

demons, you do not believe in evil spirits and, for you, taboos melt away like the winter snows.”
    â€œI am sorry,” said Tao, “but I do not believe these things are bad. The animals, the birds, the trees give us food and clothing. Yet our leaders see only evil.”
    Graybeard nodded. Tao was sure he saw a glint of understanding in the old man’s eye.
    â€œAnd you know better than the leaders?” said Graybeard.
    â€œNo,” said Tao. “I only know that the Slough is a place of many good things. Here I find food. I watch the animals and birds ... I feel good here.”
    Graybeard looked out across the blue lake. “And now you watch the great antlered one?”
    â€œYes,” said Tao. “I have never seen a giant deer before.”
    â€œThere are many far to the north, near the ice country,” said Graybeard. “They come down this way sometimes when the snows are bad.”
    Ram was standing behind Tao, a half snarl still curled on his lips.
    The old man looked at the wolf, unafraid. “How long have you hunted with the wolf dog?”
    Tao stopped to think. “Since the end of the snows.
    â€œAnd by what name do you call him?”
    â€œI call him Ram.”
    The old man smiled.
    â€œYou think it is good to have a wolf dog?” asked Tao.
    â€œYes,” said Graybeard. “They help much with the hunting and they protect the camp at night.”
    â€œOur leader, Volt, hates the wolf dogs,” said Tao. “He believes they are a curse of evil and he will have none of them.”
    â€œI know your leader well,” said Graybeard. “He is a good man, but too often he dreams of spirits and demons.”
    Tao came a step closer, whispering. “I have told no one about Ram.”
    â€œI will say nothing,” said Graybeard. “I come only to paint in the Secret Cavern.”
    Tao felt a wave of relief. He knew Graybeard would keep his word.
    â€œThe herds are coming back,” said the old man, nodding. “They will be here when the fields are green with new grass. I have come from the other camps with the news. Now I will paint images of the great beasts in the secret caverns to bring good hunting.”
    Tao wished to hear more about the image making and the painting, but he saw that the old man was tired. “Will you come and share food with us?” asked Tao. “We have a small cave on the other side of the valley.”
    Graybeard leaned against the trunk of a birch tree. His spear rested on the crook of his arm as he rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands. “Yes,” he said, “it will be good to rest.”

SEVEN
    T hey walked slowly, making their way up through the uncoiling ferns and budding buckthorn trees. On the way Tao had many questions.
    â€œOther clans have kept wolf dogs,” he said. “Why does Volt hate them so much?”
    The old man stopped to catch his breath, coughing slightly. “You have seen Volt’s face?” he asked. “You have seen the scars and the look of meanness?”
    Tao frowned. “This was done by a wolf dog?”
    â€œVolt thinks so,” said Graybeard. “He was only a child, but his father said it was so.”
    â€œI do not think a wolf dog would do that,” said Tao.
    â€œNor do I,” said the old man. “There were many hyenas at the time. But his father believed in demons and he said it was the curse of a wolf. Volt will not say otherwise. That is why this place is forbidden.”
    â€œYou mean it happened in the Slough?”
    â€œYes,” said Graybeard. “Volt was here with his mother, gathering berries. Some beast attacked them. Volt was badly clawed. His mother was killed. So this became a place of evil. Now others hear the wild cries and wailing and think of demons.”
    When Tao and the old man came to the open valley, the boy looked around slowly.
    â€œYes,” said Graybeard, “it is