The young Cherokee 6 year old sighed. He just wished he was like other boys. Suddenly, someone ran into him from behind. The Cherokee and settler stared at each other they were the same age. "I'm sorry! I didn't," the young boy stopped him. "It's alright. Who are you?"
This surprised the settler. He did not know he spoke English. "John. What's your name?"
"I'm Sherlock." The two boys did not know they were being watched. Josiah was grinning from ear to ear. At his side, Running Wind gave a small smile. It gave him great pleasure to see his son and his friend's son getting along.
"How did you learn that?"
"How did I learn English? My father taught me. He did not tell me who taught him, though."
"Oh. Want to play?" Sherlock hesitated. If they were caught, he will likely be scolded and forbidden from leaving the village for a month. Still, it seemed harmless enough. It was not like he had anything better to do. "Sure." With that, both boys scampered off.
Running Wind came out of his hiding place first. Then, Josiah followed. He gave out a loud whoop. Running Wind could not hold back any longer. He burst out laughing at his friend's antics. "Calm down, Josiah. Just because they play together do not make them friends."
"You don't know that, Running Wind." He replied, playfully tackling him. They wrestled around for five minutes before they heard the laughter. They turned to see their sons. Sherlock was laughing so hard, he was holding his stomach. John was rolling in the grass, laughing at the sight of his dad playing like a little boy.
Josiah and Running Wind traded looks. "Get them?"
"Oh yes." Seeing their fathers heading towards them, both boys stopped laughing. "Oh no, run John!"
"You don't have to tell me!" They fled, their fathers laughing as they chased them. The three played until sun set.