Po-No-Kah: An Indian Tale of Long Ago

Life on the western edge of the Ohio River is a mix of hard work and quiet moments, where the Hedden family has carved a sturdy clearing from the dense forest. Their modest farm stands among a handful of white‑washed cabins, a place where children hear distant rifle cracks and whisper about the vanished Annie Green, yet still find time for songs and schoolyard games. The settlement’s safety depends on neighbors sticking together, ever watchful for the restless spirits of the wilderness beyond.

At the heart of this world is Bessie Hedden, a bright‑spirited girl whose laughter earns her the nickname “Little Sunshine.” She shares her days with younger brother Rudolph, baby sister Kitty, and Bouncer, a loyal mastiff who once rescued Kitty from a rushing stream and now watches over the household like a gentle guardian. As the frontier season turns, their simple joys hint at the challenges and adventures that lie just beyond the homestead’s fence.