Boy of the Painted Cave

On the walk back to the cave, Graybeard explains that Volt hates wolf dogs because he believes he was maimed by one as a young child. Volt was in the Slough with his mother when they were attacked; his mother was killed and Volt was badly bitten on the face, leaving him with large, red scars. Tao says he does not believe a wolf dog would have done that. Graybeard agrees and says it was more likely a hyena, but Volt’s father believed in demons and called it “the curse of a wolf” (68). Graybeard also explains that he knows so much because he has traveled from clan to clan for 20 years, painting the caves, bringing news, and helping to heal the sick. He and Kala were friends when they were young.

Tao takes Graybeard into his cave, where all his paintings are visible. Graybeard studies them. He asks Tao who taught him to draw. Tao says he taught himself. For a moment it seems as though Graybeard is admiring the paintings, but then he angrily smears and covers the paintings with dirt from the floor. Hurt, Tao asks if the paintings are not good. Graybeard says it does not matter if they are good; it is taboo for Tao to make the images. When Tao says he does not care about the taboo, Graybeard tells him he doesn’t have to believe in it to be killed for breaking it.

Graybeard tells Tao that he is sorry, but Tao’s dream can never come true. Tao cannot be an image maker unless he was born to a leader or chosen by the elders. He tells Tao that he can continue to make images if he wants, but he must rub them out when he is finished so no one else can see them. He also says that Tao is good for a beginner and suggests he go study animals on the plain to help guide his paintings. Excitedly, Tao says that it’s like magic.

Graybeard shows him seven flat stones that are engraved with images of animals and tells Tao that this is the real magic. The stones allow him to talk to the spirits and ensure good hunting. He uses one of the stones to teach Tao how to draw a mammoth and then warns him again to rub out his drawings once they are completed.

Graybeard must go to the clan to perform the rituals and ceremonies. Tao walks with him part of the way. Tao asks if he might be accepted by the Mountain People if he were to go to them, but Graybeard says the people all have the same beliefs and laws, and Tao would not be welcome. Tao points out that Graybeard travels safely from clan to clan. Graybeard explains that the people think he is magic. Tao asks if Graybeard is saying that he is not actually doing magic; Graybeard says that he does not know, but the things he tells the clans give them comfort. The people do not seem to mind if what he foretells does not come true, but they are happy if it does. He shows Tao a very shiny, polished stone that reflects a blinding light into his eyes when Graybeard holds it just the right way. Graybeard says that the stone is not magic and that it merely catches the light of the sun.

When they get close enough, Graybeard and Tao part so Graybeard can address the hunters and perform the rituals. Tao remembers when Graybeard arrived five years ago. Tao was nine years old at the time, and he watched through the opening of Kala’s hut as Graybeard told the hunters the great herds of beast were returning. The old man gave a rousing speech that energized the hunters and then went into the caves to paint in the Secret Cavern. Tao remembers the hunters left the next day and went across the valley to find the beasts. They returned after four days with a lot of food and skins along with bones and horns. Some of the young hunters came back with greater esteem in the clan, some with terrible injuries, and two did not come back at all. The day after that, the clan held a funeral ceremony.

As the summer months approach and it gets warmer, some of the game herds return to the valley. It is much easier for the clan to find enough food and skins to make clothing and other necessities. On Graybeard’s advice, Tao starts studying the animals more closely for his paintings. One day, he and Ram climb to the top of the cliffs and see Saxon, a sacred bull Graybeard had told him about. The bull charges them, but Tao brings Ram to a higher point where the bull cannot reach them. Saxon is the “caretaker of tribal laws” (83). When a member of the clan breaks a taboo, they are brought to battle Saxon with nothing but a spear and a flint knife. If the accused survives, then they are believed to have done no wrong. Tao reveals that no one has ever survived.

Tao uses a flat slate he’d brought with him to sketch the great animal. Once he’s done, he tells Saxon to go back to his cows and that Tao now has his spirit engraved on his tablet. He and Ram return to their cave, where Tao copies his drawing onto the cave wall. As Tao is drawing, Ram starts to growl and guard the entrance to the cave. Quickly, Tao destroys his drawing of the bull, even though it is the best image he’s ever made. He hides his drawing implements, tells Ram to stay hidden, and goes to investigate. Tao is worried the intruder will be Volt or one of the hunters, but it is Graybeard. Graybeard is on his way to the Mountain People, but he stops to spend the night with Tao.

They eat, then Tao shows him the tablet with the drawing of Saxon. Graybeard says it is good and tells him to try making the image again on the cave wall. When Tao gets frustrated over his inability to draw the legs correctly, Graybeard tells him to be patient and shows him how to connect the legs to the rest of the body. Then he tells Tao to try again. Tao asks for lessons, but Graybeard says he has already done too much by telling Tao that he may draw.

In the morning, Graybeard says he has changed his mind and will teach Tao to draw, mix paint, make brushes, find fire-stones, and read the stars. Graybeard says Tao must only use the magic for good and it must be done in secret. He also reminds Tao that being taught magic does not mean he will become a chosen one.