--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thomas Builds-the-Fire closed his eyes…" description: "\"“Thomas Builds-the-Fire closed his eyes and told this story: “I remember when I had this dream that told me to go to Spokane, to stand by the falls in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/sherman-alexie-444_care_thomas-builds-the-fire-closed-his-eyes-a_1518250.png" --- # Thomas Builds-the-Fire closed his eyes and told this… ![“Thomas Builds-the-Fire closed his eyes and told this story: “I remember when I had this dream that told me to go to Spokane, to stand by the falls in the middle of the city and wait for a sign. I knew I had to go there but I didn’t have a car. Didn’t have a license. I was only thirteen. So I…” quote by Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/sherman-alexie-444_care_thomas-builds-the-fire-closed-his-eyes-a_1518250.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/sherman-alexie-444_care_thomas-builds-the-fire-closed-his-eyes-a_1518250.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/sherman-alexie-444_care_thomas-builds-the-fire-closed-his-eyes-a_1518250.png) > ““Thomas Builds-the-Fire closed his eyes and told this story: “I remember when I had this dream that told me to go to Spokane, to stand by the falls in the middle of the city and wait for a sign. I knew I had to go there but I didn’t have a car. Didn’t have a license. I was only thirteen. So I walked all the way, took me all day, and I finally made it to the falls. I stood there for an hour waiting. Then your dad came walking up. ‘What the hell are you doing here? He asked me. I said, ‘waiting for a vision.’ Then your father said, ‘All you’re going to get here is mugged.’ So he drove me to Denny’s, bought me dinner, and then drove me home to the reservation. For a long time I was mad because I thought my dreams had lied to me. But they didn’t. Your dad was my vision. ‘Take care of each other’ is what my dreams were saying. ‘Take care of each other.”” [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A young man’s quest for meaning leads him to realize that caring for others is the true vision, not a distant dream. **In simple terms:** Caring for others is the real purpose. Key Takeaway Seek community, not just personal dreams. Themes identity community growth Mood reflective hopeful Type narrative inspirational When to use this quote - personal journey - family conflict - spiritual quest - self discovery Key Concepts Indigenous literature coming of age Questions to Reflect On - How can we recognize the people who embody our aspirations? - What does “vision” mean in everyday life? A Different Perspective Dreams may be misinterpreted without guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Dream Told](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-told-703570/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Dreams Lied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams-lied-5606022/) [Father Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father-said/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Told Spokane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/told-spokane-5606021/) [Told Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/told-story/) [Ur Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ur-dad/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [“I know who you are,” the Chicano said to Thomas. “You’re that Indian guy did all the talking.” “Yeah,” one of the African men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/i-know-who-you-are-the-chicano-said-to-thomas-you-re-that-indian-guy/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) > [“Hey," Victor said. 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I was only thirteen. So I walked all the way, took me all day, and I finally made it to the falls. I stood there for an hour waiting. Then your dad came walking up. ‘What the hell are you doing here? He asked me. I said, ‘waiting for a vision.’ Then your father said, ‘All you’re going to get here is mugged.’ So he drove me to Denny’s, bought me dinner, and then drove me home to the reservation. For a long time I was mad because I thought my dreams had lied to me. But they didn’t. 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