In her poignant short story, "The Man to Send Rain Clouds," Silko masterfully portrays creativity as a wellspring of resilience for Native Americans—a powerful motif that echoes through her subsequent works. Leon embodies this creative resilience, deftly weaving together Indian and Catholic rituals. He transcends mere adherence to traditional Indian customs by inviting the Catholic priest to bless Teofilo's grave with holy water, introducing a profound new dimension. Silko artfully illustrates that the enduring strength of Pueblo traditions stems from their remarkable adaptability to embrace and blend external influences.

Silko weaves a tale that delves into the formidable power of Native American customs and traditions. At its heart lies the challenge of reconciling these ancestral practices with Christian customs. Leon, a devoted member of his community, invites a Catholic priest to embrace and partake in their sacred Indian rites. Initially, Father Paul stands firm, declining the invitation. However, he eventually reconsiders and chooses to sprinkle holy water on the grave, in a gesture that respects the Native belief in ensuring the spirit's journey to the other world is well-hydrated. This narrative masterfully illustrates how blending distinct customs can defuse potential conflicts over cultural differences.

In "The Man to Send Rain Clouds," the narrative unfolds with a tapestry of themes, including the intricacies of custom and tradition, seamlessly intertwined with the profound concept of death. This theme is illuminated through the lens of Native American beliefs, where death is perceived not as a final departure but as a passage into a cyclical journey. Here, the spirit is believed to transcend into another realm, destined to return, ushered in by the life-giving rainstorms.

As Leon meticulously applies paint to the serene visage of Teofilo, he doesn’t succumb to sorrow. Instead, a gentle smile graces his lips, embodying the spirit of acceptance. In a poignant gesture, he recites the familiar Pueblo invocation, a heartfelt plea for the deceased to bless the earth with nurturing rain clouds.

A recurrent theme woven into "The Man to Send Rain Clouds" is the tension between the individual and the collective. As the spiritual guide of a Native-American parish, Father Paul carries the responsibility of shepherding the Catholic flock in his area. When the elder man passes away, Leon chooses not to inform the priest, despite the knowledge being shared among the rest of the parishioners. Father Paul, arriving as the last to the graveyard gathering, pours holy water from a jar onto Teofilo’s resting place, thereby symbolically bridging a connection with the Native-American community.

Exploring Appearances vs. Reality

"The Man to Send Rain Clouds" delves into the theme of appearances clashing with reality, as exemplified by Father Paul's journey. Once full of enthusiasm and teeming with visions for his Native-American congregation, he soon discovers the stark contrast between his idealized expectations and the genuine experience of serving in an Indian parish.

When Leon approaches the priest with a request to join in the burial ceremony, Father Paul's gaze is weary and unfocused, lingering on the "glossy missionary magazine ... full of lepers and pagans." Initially, he declines Leon's invitation, but after a moment of introspection, he reconsiders and chooses to accompany him.

In "The Man to Send Rain Clouds," a tapestry of cultural divergence unfolds as Leon and Father Paul navigate their contrasting worlds. A poignant moment of clash arises during Teofilo's burial ceremony when Father Paul inquires, "Why didn't you tell me he [Teofilo] was dead? I could have brought the Last Rites anyway." Leon's serene response, "It wasn't necessary, Father," underscores their differing views. Ultimately, the tension melts away as Father Paul consents to partake in an Indian ritual. Though it doesn't adhere to traditional Christian funeral rites, Teofilo is graced with the blessings of both ancestral and Christian traditions, bridging the divide with reverence and respect.