Charles Alexander Eastman (born Hakadah and later named Ohíye S’a; 1858 – 1939) was a Santee Dakota physician educated at Boston University, writer, national lecturer, and reformer. In the early 20th century, he was "one of the most prolific authors and speakers on Sioux ethnohistory and American Indian affairs." He is also considered the first Native American author to write American history from the Native American point of view. As they were struggling financially, his wife, Elaine Goodale Eastman , encouraged him to write some of the stories of his childhood. At her suggestion and with her editing help, he published the first two in 1893 and 1894 in ''St. Nicholas Magazine''. Some of Eastman's books were translated into French, German and other European languages, and the books have enjoyed regular reprints. A selection of his writings was published recently as ''The Essential Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa)'' (2007).
Originally published in 1909 as a part of Eastman's collection of Sioux folktales ''Wigwam Evenings'', ''The Little Boy Man'' tells an Indian legend of He-who-was-first-Created and his little brother the Boy Man, the father of the human race upon earth. Although the Boy Man had neither father nor mother, and only animals for playmates, no child has ever led so free and happy a life as he. One morning he went out from his lodge as usual, but did not return at night nor for many nights afterward. He-who-was-first-Created mourned and wailed long for the lost one, when at last he became angry, and set out to look for his brother...
