SUN FATHER, CORN MOTHER
A Novel

Sun Father, Corn Mother
      Based on the novel by Kirk Reeve
      Copyright 2015 Kirk Reeve
     
      Contact: James Clois Smith, Jr., Sunstone Press/ (505) 988-4418
     
      Log Line: A fourteen-year-old Hopi boy endures harsh trearment by conquistadors, plus capture and confinement by nomadic Old Enemies during his experiences as a guide for the Spanish expedition that “discovers” the Grand Canyon.
     
      ACT I
     
            Late July, 1540. Fourteen-year-old Running Antelope’s peaceful life is dramatically changed when his father is among those killed by a detachment of Coronado’s army sent to the Hopi village of Kawaioukuh from conquered Hawikú as part of a continuing search for gold. Killed, too, are the father and mother of his Kawaioukuh friends Growing Reed and Standing Blossom. After assisting in burial rites, Running Antelope and Two Snakes, the younger brother of Father’s friend Big Bull Snake who was also killed, return to their own village with the disturbing news about the violent white-faces, their frightening giant dogs, and the deaths.
      Running Antelope assumes responsibility for his mother’s patches of corn, and is invited by Two Snakes to become a Snake priest so that he can take part in ritual that will bring much needed rain. He responds eagerly, and is soon immersed in a lengthy ritual that ends with the Snake dance. Rain comes, and the corn crop is saved.
      But again the Spaniards come—this time to Running Antelope’s village just before harvest—a smaller detachment seeking Hopi guides to take them to the Great Red River. Two Snakes sees opportunity to avenge his brother’s death and volunteers to do the guiding—and is successful in getting permission for Running Antelope to accompany him. This revenge element of the story will soon be fully established.
     
      ACT II
     
      During the first day on the trail, Two Snakes shocks Running Antelope by revealing to him that he saw the Spaniard Galeras kill his brother and Running Antelope’s father—and that the two of them have come on this journey to kill Galeras.
      As the expedition continues, Running Antelope becomes friends with the Hawikú boy Blue Stone Shining who was brought along to help feed and water the horses. His uncle, Gray Fox Comes Out, is the interpreter for the Spaniards. The two boys are soon riding horses together and having fun—and getting into painful trouble with Galeras.
      Before the Great Red River is reached, Two Snakes tells Running Antelope when the two of them will kill Galeras. He expects agreement, but doesn’t get it. Running Antelope holds that revenge is contrary to the ways of their people. That ends their friendship.
      The travelers spend three days at the south rim of the “Canyon of Great Spirits” during which the conquistadors try unsuccessfully to reach the river below. Completely lost on them is the great beauty and magnificense of the natural wonder they have “discovered.” So discouraged by what they consider to be desolate, cold, and inhospitable land, they end their search for riches and head back toward Coronado’s encampment at Hawikú.
      Two days into the trek, Two Snakes attempts to kill Galeras. His arrow misses and he runs away. Running Antelope, returning from hunting rabbits with an arrow in place on his bowstring, is seen as an equal threat, and is shot at by Galeras. He runs for his life back into the rough terrain, soon to be joined by Blue Stone Shining. The boys return to camp under cover of darkness, take two horses, and ride off toward Running Antelope’s village.
     
      ACT III
     
      About halfway there, the boys encounter a band of nomads—Old Enemies—and are beaten and taken prisoner. Several days later, the nomads raid Kawaioukuh to plunder. Growing Reed is seemingly killed, and Standing Blossom is kidnapped.
      The youngsters soon realize that Hawikú is the destination of their captors—who have no knowledge of Spanish conquistadors. When the nomads reach Hawikú and camp nearby, the boys attract the attention of several Spaniards passing by, resulting in a brief confrontation between the cavalrymen and the nomads. Hoping that the Spaniards will soon return in force, the boys intend to escape with Standing Blossom during the resulting confusion.
      The Spaniards attack at dawn, and the three escape to Hawikú. While there, Galeras makes an unexpected appearance. Running Antelope and Standing Blossom leave for their villages. Growing Reed turns up alive at otherwise abandoned Kawaioukuh, making for a happy ending for the three at Running Antelope’s village.
     
      NOTE: A Beat Sheet is available upon request, and so is the book’s Prologue which should be adapted as a visual with the opening credits.