Laughing Boy Family Letter

Dear Family,

Hello. I am writing to you because I have been missing you ever since I left To’ Tlakai. It has been four days since I left for this dance. I had no trouble along the way. I stopped at Chinlee for some coffee. Along the way I thought of the perfect bracelet to make once I get some silver. Just before I got to the dance site, I say many Navajos of all ages and could tell it was going to be wonderful.

When I got to the dance I met Jesting Squaw’s Son. We talked of the jail many people are going to. Later on we sang by the fires with the other people. Just when I was getting into the song, a girl wanted to dance with me. I tried to get out of it but she was strong for a thin woman. I finally got away when I paid her ten cents.

The next day, I was in a wrestling match with a thin man that goes by Red Man. He made me feel uneasy, so I challenged him. I bet the silver belt I borrowed and a few dollars against his belt and his money. Jus as I predicted, he was easy to throw over.

Afterward, Jesting Squaw’s Son and me went to find someone to sell Red Man’s ugly belt to. We found two Americans. We haggled for awhile but in the end they bought it for $65. They also gave us smoke before riding off.

The third day we rode to the third site. When the singing began in the night, I could not become one with the song, so I went off to pray. I began to sing. Then the woman from the first night found me and asked me to sing for her. Earlier, I found out her name is Slim Girl. I sang and afterward talked to her. It was short but e both knew what we wanted to do. After she left, I returned to the others and slept.

When I awoke, I set out to find Wounded Face, my uncle and ask him for Slim Girl. He said she is no good and that he will pick the woman for me. I was upset and left to find Slim Girl.

I found her and told her what uncle said. She did not care. Since we are not of the same clan, we decided to go together tomorrow, away form here.

My horse won the horse race, so now I have nearly $200. I will return with Slim Girl and we will be happy and rich together.

Your Family Member,
Laughing Boy

Stealing For What I Want

When it comes to stealing for what I want, the world becomes black and white; bad and good. Some people say that it is okay to steal that it is a victimless crime. For me, I know stealing is wrong and don’t do it anymore. I have come to realize through past and painful experiences that nothing enforces the fact that stealing is wrong and will lead to hurting and loss of a loved one’s trust. For some say that the crime does not hurt anyone, but they are wrong. The crime hurts the conscience and your own self-respect. Stealing because you want something is wrong, no matter how you put it.

McDonalds vs Cafteria Food

When it comes to changing the schools cafeteria food with McDonalds’ menu, it seems to be a good ideal. Most students and staff members feel that McDonalds’ has better taste then Tohatchi’s cafeteria food, however the nutritional value of McDonalds’ is less then the cafeteria food. I feel that the food should not be changed. Taste may be one thing but nutrition is for more important to child growth. Some members supporting the change say that it will increase students appearance in the lunch room but this will also increase diabetes in schools. These reasons are why the cafeteria food should not be changed to the McDonalds’ menu.