When The Fire Dies
by Romona Maher

A thoughtful, expressive depiction of the southwest Indian, in which an "Americanized" Native American girl goes back to her family abode during school vacation.

She looks contemptuously on the old Indian customs and taboos, and refuses to accompany her parents to a death bed ceremony for a tribal elder.

An ancient Native woman, also going to the ceremony, passes by.

She tells the girl that Indians of her education are necessary to lead the tribe out of ignorance.

She makes her point beautifully, and leaves the young girl in deep thought.