The Man from the Bitter Roots

In the rolling prairies of early‑20th‑century Iowa, a restless boy named Bruce Burt spends his days chasing horses and hunting for odd stones in riverbeds. One afternoon he uncovers a heavy, black rock unlike any he’s ever seen, and his imagination bursts with the idea that it might be a message from God himself. His excitement is quickly dampened by his stern father, whose harsh words and relentless work ethic leave Bruce feeling invisible and yearning for a little kindness.

The story follows Bruce as he navigates the rough edges of farm life, from bruising encounters with his father to fleeting comforts offered by the farmwife who seems to understand his small joys. As he clutches the mysterious stone, he begins to question the world around him and wonder whether the prairie holds more secrets than the daily grind suggests. Listeners are drawn into a portrait of childhood resilience, quiet wonder, and the search for meaning in an unforgiving landscape.