Ben Smith

Background

Thirty years ago, when Ben was 10, soldiers came to his village in the mountains. They said the land was the property of the US Government. There was a big battle, and Ben's father, brothers, and most of the other men in the village were killed by American bullets.

Ben was spared as a novelty, for he was already tall and and strong. The American soldiers took turns trying to beat him, laughing all the time.

Years later, Ben was rescued from a traveling circus that continued to use him as a boxing giant novelty. His rescuer was an American military man who thought that Ben should serve his country. In fact, the military man gave Ben his name, Ben Smith, rather than Abukcheech, a name he has now forgotten.

Ben served his country, and the military man died of consumption some time later.