Libro de Actas del Congreso Regional de la Cátedra ... - UNGS

“Late Tuesday morning, Harlen came by the studio. (…)
′You want some coffee? Big John’s already told me about David Plume.′
′What about David Plume?′
′Didn´t you come by to tell me that David Plume got himself arrested over Cardston?′
(…) So I told Harlen what I knew. It wasn´t much, and Harlen not being one to take his
information second hand, finished my sausage, drank my coffee, (…) and left.” (P. 250/1)
De esta manera, Will se transforma en un storyteller completamente funcional
dentro de la comunidad, cuyas historias permiten, en primer lugar, mejorar las vidas de
sus pares y amigos en el presente. Ejemplo de esto es el vínculo que establece con
Clyde Whiteman, un joven rebelde a quien Will aconseja y contiene en varias
ocasiones para ayudarlo a encontrar su camino, como puede verse cuando lo visita en
la cárcel. Una vez finalizado el torneo de básquet en el que ambos participaban, Will
decide visitar a Clyde y recordarle su importancia para el equipo de la reservación:
“The season was over, and everyone sort of forgot about Clyde. I guess I figured that
someone should go out and see him. When I finished work on Thursday, I drove out to
the jail. (…)
A bunch of the inmates were playing a game of four on four. Clyde was moving through
the defense smooth and sure. I walked over and sat on the bench. The game ended, and
Clyde came over and sat down.
′Hey, Will. You didn´t have to come out. Hear you guys won the championship. Didn´t
need me at all.′
′Could have used you, Clyde. How you doing?′
′Okay. Keep screwing up. But I´m okay.′” (P. 132)
En segundo lugar, sus historias también contribuyen a la continuidad de las
tradiciones en las generaciones futuras a medida que Will asume su rol paternal con
South Wing, como puede verse en el episodio en el que se relata el primer cumpleaños
de la niña. La madrugada de su cumpleaños, Will cuida de ella e intenta recordar la
canción tradicional que le enseñó la “marriage doctor”, Martha Oldcrow, el día que Will
y Harlen, la visitan para que ella indique el regalo de cumpleaños adecuado:
“′Here´s what you boys want. Good present, this one.′
It was a small leather rattle made out of willow and deer hide. It was painted blue and
yellow and had several strands of horsehair tied to the side. There were stones or seeds
inside. Martha shook it and sang a song. ′You know that song?′ She asked.
I shook my head. (…)
′Better learn that song.′” (P. 140/1)
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