sometimes the magic works

In the film “Little Big Man,” Old Lodge Skins prepares to die, first thanking his God, who he names Grandfather, for making him a human being and a warrior. 

“Thank You for my victories, and for my defeats!” he says. “Thank You for my vision, and the blindness in which I saw further! You make all things and direct them in their ways, O Grandfather. And now You have decided the Human Beings will soon walk a road that leads nowhere. I am gonna die now, unless death wants to fight. And I ask You for the last time to grant me my old power to make things happen.”

Old Lodge Skins lies down to die.  After a moment, he props himself up on his elbows to ask Grandfather a favor.  “Take care of my son here. See that he doesn't go crazy.”

Again Old Lodge Skins lies down to die. He falls asleep and when he wakes up, he looks around and asks his son, “Am I still in this world?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Old Lodge Skins groans. “I was afraid of that. Well, sometimes the magic works. Sometimes, it doesn't.”