Trading Mystery
Elementary: Grades 3–4
Story
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"Is the man in the picture one of your friends?" Joseph asked, "The one who got a raw deal?"
"Ah, Me-Te-A. He was a good man and a good friend. He was a bit older than I, and when he grew up he became the chief. The Potawatomi tried to keep peace between tribes and settlers. The U.S. government wanted more and more of the tribes' land. Me-Te-A went to Washington to get an agreement with the government about the land, but treaties did not help the American Indians. In 1833, the government took the tribes' land and they ended up having to move away without getting much in return. We lost track of each other when they moved west, but I never forgot him."
"So you kept his picture," Joseph said softly.
Uncle Boots nodded. "I've seen lots of changes in my time, and some I didn't feel good about. But here is the city we built, once before the Great Fire and again after it. I stayed to help rebuild, but then I wanted a change, so Omaha it was." Uncle Boots looked around again at the busy streets and river.
 features a portrait of King George III.'))
"So why did you come back now?" Joseph asked.
"I wanted to see this place again in my old age...to see how it has changed and to write my story with all this history around me," Uncle Boots explained.
Lily, patiently waiting to ask her question, finally piped up, "Uncle Boots, why didn't you just give the tribes money for the pelts?"
"That's a good question," he said. "It wasn't like today, with lots of stores around. There wasn't anyplace to buy things or anything to buy! So instead, we traded."
"Like that gun you have!" Joseph exclaimed, realizing as soon as his sister glared at him that he had told their secret.
Uncle Boots laughed, "So you've been spying on me, have you? Let's just go on home and I'll show you some of those things you're so curious about.
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