One Small Blue Bead

A band of men sat huddled in a cave Where coals of fire glowed warm and red. Boy lay curled on a bed of leaves But he sat up when an old man said: “This thought keeps spinning in my head. There must be caves just like our own Somewhere And other axes made of stone Somewhere And other men like me.” Though only Boy shares his dream, the old man leaves the tribe to search for what the world may hold. Boy does the old man’s work in his absence and watches hopefully for his return… For any good thing Can happen when The world is full of Tribes of men Who know that they have brothers. First published in 1965 and long out of print, Byrd Baylor’s powerful story is newly illustrated with Ronald Himler’s vigorous yet tender pictures.