In 1954 LITTLE CUB McCALL lived an idyllic life with his family a mere slingshot's throw from the Tennessee River in the hills of Middle Tennessee. His cousins J.D. and Dale were his best friends and exploring companions. His family who were share-croppers consisted of his father, mother, brother, and three sisters. Being the youngest and definitely the smallest of the lot, he was well treated and protected. The woods, rivers, and creeks were his playground and he was at home in the trees or in the water. Never having the reason to go to town, he seldom had the occasion. When he did accompany his father to Clifton, it was only for a couple of hours and he never wandered on his own and therefore never experienced the life in a small town. One day his father came home early and had some news for his little family that would change his life forever. He had had a fight with his boss and they would have to move. But where would they move, to another farm if he could find one. If not, then to Kentucky for work in a rock quarry with his brother. Unable to find a farm the father went to Kentucky and returned a few weeks later to get the family. Pulling up to an old two-store house they wearily got of the car and moved up the stairs to their new home. Not nice, but much better than the last place they lived. Where were they? Smithland Kentucky, a small town on the banks of the Ohio river. School had already started and since he was the youngest, he was the last to be registered. All of Little Cub's fears came true on his first day of school where he caught the attention of the school bully turned his life into a living hell. How he was able to cope; the family and friends who helped him endure and prosper is what this story is about.
