The Sky Is Gray

Life Changing Journeys: "The Sky is Gray", "Blue Winds

Dancing" and "The Hammon and the Beans"

In the three short stories that we have read, the main

characters take life-changing journeys. As we continue

to read about these stories we find James in The Sky is

Gray, the Native American from Blue Winds Dancing and

Chonita in the Hammon and the Beans have traveled three

separate roads, allowing us to view their journeys in

three different ways. James in "The Sky is Gray" shows a

black male growing up in a home without a father figure

present learns the life lesson of poverty yet proud. The

Native American in "Blue Winds Dancing" deals with

belonging to the Native American world and the "white

man's world" while truly identifying himself. Chonita in

the "Hammon and the Beans" deals with poverty and other

aspects of her life.

James in "The Sky is Gray" deals with growing up as a

black male in the South. James takes a trip to town,

along with his mother, to the dentist. There he learns

that not everyone are treated the same because of the

color of their skin and the money in there pocket. When

told they would have to wait until the doctor can see

James they leave to get something to eat. Learning

nothing is given for free, James sees he has to work

twice as hard as most to achieve a smaller benefit.

The Native American in "Blue Winds Dancing" faces a

journey on life that touches him personally. He attends

college in the "white man's world" where he is taught

about his cultural. However, he reflects about "the

land which is my home" he travels back there. He

remembers how beautiful the trees look as he describe

"there is always beauty in order". The closer