Throughout Dogsong by Gary Paulsen, Russel searches for understanding.  Before he can become a man, he must understand himself and his culture--a culture that used to sing and dance before a missionary persuaded the people to stop.

Russel asks Oogruk, "Can I get a song?"  

Oogruk replies, "You don't get songs, you are a song." 

Of course, by the end of the novel, Russel understands the meaning behind his mentor's words.  The last pages of the book are devoted to Russel's song.  His self-image and his societal role are connected to the dogs that pull his sled.

Think about your own self-concept and your own societal role.  Modeling Russel's style, write your own song and set it to music.

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