Boy of the Painted Cave

Boy of the Painted Cave

ABOUT THE READING In a world that

existed 18,000 years ago, a fourteen-year-old

boy, Tao, is forced to hunt. All he has ever

wanted to do is to paint images of bears

and deer in the caves. Because Tao is not a

Chosen One, he is forbidden to paint. As this

excerpt begins, Tao and his wolf dog have

stumbled across a stranger while hunting.

As you read the passage below, pay attention to

how Tao defends himself.

Tao gasped. He felt a mixture of dismay and awe.

The stranger standing before him was Graybeard,

the Cave Painter, the shaman of all the clans. Never

did he think he would meet such a great one.

“I also know you hunt on forbidden land,” said

Graybeard.

The boy winced and shifted from one foot to the

other. “It is forbidden only because of the demons

and evil spirits,” he said, his voice cracking.

“And you are not afraid of demons?”

“I have heard the wailing screams and the wild

howls, but they are the cries of the eagle-owl and

the loons. If there are other demons I have never

seen one.” . . .

For a moment Tao was quiet. Then he swallowed

hard and said, “The people of my clan are starving.

The Slough is full of game. With the wolf dog I

bring them much food.”

Graybeard nodded. “You are not afraid

of demons, you do not believe in evil spirits

and, for you, taboos melt away like the winter

snows.”

“I am sorry,” said Tao “but I do not believe these

things are bad. The animal, 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.

“And you know better than the leaders?” said

Graybeard.

“No,” 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.”

“The 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.”

. . . “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.”

ANALYZING LITERATURE

1. Main Idea What is Graybeard’s attitude toward Tao? How can you tell?

2. Critical Thinking: Making Predictions Do you think Tao will ever be permitted to paint like Graybeard? Why or why not?