117 Comments
User's avatar
Kathy Ortiz's avatar

Keep going with this!

Expand full comment
Simon Brooks's avatar

Ooo. Wow. If this short were a car racetrack, that was three chicanes in a row and I nearly came off the track. Can't wait for more!

Expand full comment
Mary Kay's avatar

Catching up on my Substack reading....I was smiling as soon as I saw the picture of Thomas Builds-the-Fire! And you're right, even listening to your voice, I'm hearing Evan Adams....I don't think it is a bad thing. Love your stories being told through Thomas.

Looking forward to future Chronicles!

Expand full comment
Rachel Hutcheson's avatar

That was a good surprise!

Expand full comment
Jack Duane's avatar

thanks for the smile, Sherman. He was wonderful character in Smoke Signals. A loyal friend.

Expand full comment
Jane Fisher's avatar

Very short, but so very sweet. And it's wonderful to reunite with Thomas in a prequel.

Expand full comment
Marcie Sillman's avatar

Sherman thank you so much for the gift of this

door to your words! great to see you yesterday

Expand full comment
Mary Hollowell's avatar

: ) not unlike "BeeByeeByee and the Water God" [under Read Sample then Table of Contents] in The Serpent Slayer: And Other Stories of Strong Women https://www.amazon.com/Serpent-Slayer-Other-Stories-Strong/dp/B0002D6DBU

Expand full comment
Fred's avatar

Hello Sherman, been enjoying your books for a while now, including your audio books read by you.

While I enjoy your work tremendously it also saddens me quite a bit at times, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. A testament to the power of the written word I suppose.

I get sad about the Salmon, the people affected by it and the general carelessness humans have demonstrated towards the environment & planet as a whole.

Thomas Builds-the-Fire is a memorable & wonderful character, how does one not like him.

John Le Carre had very similar experience with Alec Guiness as George Smiley in his books as you do with Thomas. At some point he couldn't write about the character without him feeling like he was writing for Alec, so I suppose this is a problem for all good writers who create great characters,

which simply means you're in good company ;o)

Look forward to more adventures with Thomas hopefully in the not too distant future.

Take care & be well!

Expand full comment
Jennifer Schmidt's avatar

Made me smile, and gave hope for something smaller, simpler in life.

Expand full comment
Freddy Herrera's avatar

Ah, to have Thomas's logic...

Expand full comment
Tomas Baiza's avatar

"Then he sang until the water sang with him."

This line made me tear up. I have always loved and respected Thomas.

Expand full comment
Katelon's avatar

Love it.....return of the wild salmon is much more valuable and sustainable than cash.

Expand full comment
Lesliee's avatar

Yes! I have been waiting for the adventures of Thomas Builds-the-Fire since Smoke Signals! I love this character.

Expand full comment
Lisette Buchholz's avatar

Such a great story. I love Thomas for a long time through your writing, you know, though I never met him in person. Wherever he is present some kind of kindness seems to spread. And a quiet, powerful hope.

Expand full comment
Burleigh Muten's avatar

Thanks so much for this, Sherman. Thomas is one of my all time favorites as is John Wayne's

teeth... really put a smile on my face. More, please.

Expand full comment