"Toughest Indian in the World"

“The Toughest Indian in the World” is a short story about the Narrator’s journey back to his roots. It all starts when he is young, when his Father picks up Indian hitchhikers. His Father never picked up anyone except Indian hitchhikers and the Narrator follows in his footsteps. The Narrator loved the smell and experience of cramming into a car loaded with Indian hitchhikers, it made him feel like whole, as if he was giving back to his heritage. His journey back to his roots was realized when he picked up his last Indian hitchhiker.
When the Narrator picked up his next hitchhiker his journey back to his roots began. During the ride, he finds out that the hitchhiker is a fighter, who fights all over the various reservations for profit. The Narrator, throughout the ride, is in awe of the fighter. In fact he enjoyed the fighters presence so much he decide he stay with him in his motel room that night. The experience of spending the night with the hitchhiker changed the Narrator’s heart forever. He eventually feels stronger, more like a warrior. His experience with the fighter made him realize that he had separated himself from his true culture. This begins his journey home to find his true place, where he can revive the true Indian in himself.