Burnt Belly

by Gerald Musinsky

An unlikely hero tale. Burnt Belly is ridiculed because of his poverty and begging food from the woman he desires to wed. He meets a man-of-the-sun who instructs him on how to become a great warrior. Following this, he takes scalps, and repels an enemy attack thus saving the village. The woman does not recognize him as Burnt Belly and wishes to marry him. He then reveals his identity to the astonished and penitent village.