The Life and Times of Mark Twain

Rafts. They allow people to travel by rivers, they are built when a boat is not available, and they can be the breeding ground for memories and conversations. The sun was beaming down on the dingy, blue water of the river as one raft in particular floated downstream. This raft was small, but it was perfect for the two people riding on it. It is going to be the raft that allows these two people to have a conversation that explains views on an issue that was prevalent in the late 1800s in the United States of America.

Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, sat next to Huckleberry Finn as the water just kept flowing past them. How did these two end up on the raft together? Well, it is actually a simple story. Twain wanted to get to know his character, so he built a raft from a special wood from a secret forest that allowed him to float right into his own book. So, he found Huck Finn and explained to him that he was his creator, and he wanted to get to know him better and how he felt about certain issues. So, after hours of floating and talking, Twain looked at Huck and said, "How do you feel about Jim, Huck?"

This question rattled Huck because he did not expect Mark Twain, his creator, to ask him such a question. Shouldn't he know? He made Jim and I. He thought this as he glanced at Twain with a confused look. "I don't understand Mr. Twain. I thought you made us. So, why do you need to know how I feel?" Huck asked Twain. Twain smiled to himself, looked at Huck, and said, "Well Huck, I knew you would ask me that. The reason I ask is because when I made you, I put my own thoughts and feelings into you. I have recently had a case of amnesia after I fell from my roof patching a rain leek, and I believed talking to you would help me see how I felt about certain things that are happening in the world today." Huck felt a little better about his question now, but he still did not fully understand. "So, why do you ask how I feel about Jim?" he asked. Twain looked at Huck with a very serious expression and stated, "People are saying I am racist, but when I read my books and I try to remember, that word just does not feel right to me. I believe I am not racist, but I need you to help me on this journey."

This shocked Huck. Racist? He was not racist. He loved Jim like a father. He looked pat Twain and said, "Mr. Twain, Jim is a better father than even my own father was." Twain knew this because he had read his own book, but he was enjoying hearing it from Huck himself. "Tell me more about this, Huck," Twain said to the boy. Huck thought for a minute, and smiling, he said, "How about I just show you."

Twain looked confusedly at Huck. Huck just smiled up at him and touched the water. The raft lurched forward, spraying up water as it sped quicker and quicker. Mark grabbed for the nearest rope and held on. Huck felt the wind ripple through