This is the story of how the Indian custom of lighting bonfires at Easter Eve began.

Little Bow's village was suffering from a long drought. Rain dances and prayer songs were held asking for a sign from the Great Spirit. When the sign came, the medicine man said they must follow the ways of their ancestors and sacrifice a member of the tribe to bring rain.

But the sensitive Indian boy was not content with the medicine man's words. And when Little Bow leaned who was to be sacrificed, he set out to find the young brave, Silver Arrow, who was far in the mountains.

How Little Bow finds his friend and how Silver Arrow turns the Indians from the ways of their ancestors with the Christian story of the First Easter is a moving and authoritative story. It is based on a custom celebrated for more than 100 years in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Wilma Hays has long been interested both in American history and storytelling. Having lived in different parts of the U.S. (as a child she even spent some time on an Indian reservation), she has met many people and learned many strange customs form them. Mrs. Hays feels that American children can better understand their part in this country's future if they understand the customs and people which are part of its past.

Peter Burchard's strong illustrations highlight the dramatic action of the story.

From the dust jacket