James

by Percival Everett

“Why you think it’s gonna rain?” “Seen lots of hawks flyin’ round. Dey likes to hunt fo’ it rain. And seen ants buildin’ piles round dey holes.” “How do they know it’s gonna rain?” the boy asked. “Dey’s a part of nature and weather be a part of nature and dem parts talk to each other.” “Ain’t people a part of nature?” “If’n dey is, den dey ain’t no good part. Da rest o’ nature don’ hardly talk to no human peoples anymo. Maybe it try from time to time, but peoples don’ listen. Anyway, gone be a big rain.”