The timeless coming of age story about a native american boy caught between two worlds. Thomas black bull's parents reject life in a modern reservation and take to ancient paths in the woods, teaching their young son the stories and customs of his ancestors. But tom's life changes forever when he loses his father in a tragic accident and his mother dies shortly afterward. When tom is discovered alone in the forest with only a bear cub as a companion, he is taken into the world of the white man. Hard drinking red dillon richard widmark spots tom's horse handling skills and becomes his mentor, turning him into a bronco riding star at the rodeo. But he exploits their relationship over the years by stealing tom's winnings. Fed up, tom sets out on his own... Powerful and timeless, when the legends die, adapted from the bestselling classic by hal borland, is a captivating story of one man learning to live in harmony with both civilization and wilderness.