The Old Indian

By: John Isaac Jones

Narrated by: James H Kiser

Length: 24 mins

Publisher's summary

For years, Big Walter had dreamed of becoming Georgia's Director of Public Safety. Now his big opportunity was before him. The governor's chief aide said all he had to do was find the body of the governor's college-age son who had been swept into the raging waters of the Tallulah River in north Georgia.

After three days, however, Big Walter, armed with all of the body-finding technology the 20th century had to offer, came up with nothing. Then one of the locals suggested he talk to an old Indian who lived on the river. This is Big Walter's story.

©2016 John I. Jones (P)2017 John I Jones

Well Written Short Story

When the governor's young son is dragged into a river and lost, the governor pulls out all the stops to find his son's body. Big Walter is promised the promotion he's been dreaming of if he can give the governor some peace. Unable to find the body within the time allotted, Big Walter turns to his last resort, an old Indian named Charlie.

I enjoyed listening to this short story. It reminded me of O. Henry's stories about the Old West, both in the style and the characters' personalities. I'm always impressed by the nuances that can be packed into a short story, and this author is no exception. The narration was a perfect fit for the rustic style of the story. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Another great short story!

I really enjoyed this short story. It is well performed and well written with a great message! I received a review copy at my request and voluntarily reviewed.

The Old Indian

A politician takes advantage of a sad situation to further his career.

A thought provoking short story. Well written and the narration was perfect.

The old ways are sometimes the best

After technology and modern policing fails to find the missing body of the Governor's son an old native american tracker is employed to find the boy. A quick tail, "The Old Indian" shows the task being undertaken by simple, yet almost supernatural means, while "Big Walter" who leads the search claims the glory.

The story might have actually been served better by being shorter, having finished earlier. There are two themes crammed into this short story - that of simple vs technology, and of lying to get ahead. But having put both of them in the story they both lose a bit of impact, especially as they don't really overlap. In such a short space both cannot have justice done. There is a poignant point for one of the themes which would have been a good ending for the story, yet it keeps going to beyond that to cover the other theme. This just stretches the story out beyond it's natural climax point.

It's an interesting story, and generally well told. It just don't have any real climax or 'big moment' that usually drives a short story. It just kind of meanders to it's end.

Narration by James H Kiser is okay, but nothing exciting. He is fairly monotone throughout his reading of the story, not separating characters or adding anything to the story by his narration. He is clear and easy to understand, while on the slightly quicker end of the narration speed scale.

The Moral of the story is

Big John lost a lot of sleep because he did not give credit where it was due. The old Indian did not want anything from him. But when someone does something for you it is always best to acknowledge it and give credit where it is due. Big John would still have gotten his job because he asked the Indian for help.but he was anxious for the rest of his life because he hid the fact the Indian helped him. How many people have gotten the praise that did not belong to them? But in the end, when Big John meets up with God he will have to give an account. I got this ARC via audiobook boom and this is my voluntary review. The narrator was very good.

Unsurpassed dicotomy in a simple story . . .

Technology versus nature, truth versus lies, peace versus anxiety, money versus richness, humbleness versus pride, and those just scratch the surface of this multifaceted tale. Once again the author, John Isaac Jones, sets the stage with a short and concise development of both plot and character that will serve to bring several aspects of moral teachings into fruition. Just when you think the story is running out of time (it's only 24-minutes long), the conclusion hits you right between the eyes and leaves you to contemplate the depths of our own humanness with which it has dealt.

John Kiser does another superb job with the narration in his slow and steady voice. Having listened to a couple other of similar type of books, it was like listening to an old friend tell the story in your living-room.

I highly recommend this book (along with some other of the author's recent works) to all that enjoy short stories or simply have a few minutes to mindfully fill. A review copy of this audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in return for this unbiased review. My hope is that this review helps in your decision to obtain this book.

Too many subjects for a short story

The governor’s son disappeared in the river, and Big Walter is in charge of the search. As things turn to be more difficult than he expected, he will seek help from an old Indian, expert in matters related to the river.

I enjoyed the beginning of this story, and especially the way the old Indian searched for the the body. I think this taught a lesson to Big Walter. Apart from this, there is another subject in this short story: honesty vs. lying in order to get what one wants. I think this made the story a bit confusing, due to piling up too many subjects in such a short story. After I have finished it I left me kind of disappointed. There is also a moral to the story, something I don’t consider necessary in books for adults, but what bothered me here was that deceiving ways was what got Big Walter his success. It wasn’t just for me.

James H. Kiser delivered a clear narration, but it felt monotone and the character’s interpretations were quite plain. He didn’t make an effort in having different voices for each character. It was okay but it didn’t add much to the story.

I received a copy of this book in audio format from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Meh

The characters were a bit cookie cutter for my taste. Short enough it’s easy to listen to. Nothing special though imo. The narrator was pretty good. I did enjoy the narrator.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Typical politician

The story of a man trying to advance his career. The death of the governor son provides the opportunity for this man to advance his career should he be able to find the body. When technology and man power fail he turns to a local old Indian. What ensues from there is a lesson in Logic and Native American Ways as well as the typiCal corruption of a politician. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Brilliant Short Story

The Old Indian is another amazing short story from John Issac Jones. This is the second one I have listened to and it is really good. The Governers son goes missing on the river and dies and his body is lost. It is up to Big Walter who is up for the Director of Public Saftey of the State. His task is to find the body with all the latest tools of the police world. Stimied as his deadline nears he turns to someone the locals know who lives near the river. The Old Indian. I highly recommend this story it is one of those short but deeply rich short stories that will stick in your mind after you hear it.

The narration was done by James Kiser. This is the first time that I have heard a performance from Mr. Kiser but he did a good job with this short story.

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge via Audiobook Boom for an unbiased review.