Mewanee was a brave little Indian boy.
He lived in a forest of North America with his father and mother and his baby brother.
There were many other Indian people who lived in the same forest, and Mewanee’s father was chief of them all.
Mewanee was very proud to be the chief’s son, for the chief was always the bravest of all the Indians of his tribe.
One day mother left Mewanee and baby brother in the forest at play, while she went to work in the cornfield.
Baby brother was swinging in his cradle from the branches of the tall cedar tree.
Mother had made this cradle from the bark of the linden tree. It was lined with soft rushes so that baby might be quite comfortable as he lay in it.
The little boy could not fall out of his queer cradle because he was tied in by means of strong deer sinews.
At first baby brother seemed quite contented as the gentle wind rocked the cradle to and fro.
He was interested in watching Mewanee as he ran about near by.