A long time ago, on the wide grasslands of the American West, there lived a boy named Crazy

Horse. He was born around the year 1840, though no one knows the exact date. His people

were called the Lakota Sioux. They were Native Americans who lived on the plains. They followed

buffalo herds, rode horses, and lived in T-Ps. Crazy Horse was born near what is now, South Dakota.

His Lakota name was Thazoon Ki Whitko, which means

his horse is crazy. It was not his first name.

When he was young he had a different name, Curly.

His hair was wavy and brown, and that's why people called

him Curly. Curly was a quiet boy. He did not talk much, but he watched everything. He

listened carefully to the elders. He learned how to ride a horse when he was very young. He also

learned how to hunt buffalo, fish in rivers, and respect nature.

His father was a respected warrior and holy man.

His mother was kind and wise.

They taught Curley to be strong and brave, but they also taught him to care for others.

When Curley was about 12 years old, he saw something that changed him forever.

One day Curley watched as white soldiers attacked a Lakota village.

Women and children ran for safety.

Tepees were burned, some people were killed.

Curly did not understand why this happened.

The Lakota had done nothing wrong.

He asked his father, why did they do this?

His father said, they want our land. They do not understand our ways. After this, Curley was no

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