The Price of Protecting a Child

The Most Precious of Cargoes

This flow traces the escalating danger created by hiding the girl and the sacrifices made by those who refuse to surrender her.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Shelter Made Illegal A Shelter Made Illegal from "The Most Precious of Cargoes". A Shelter Made Illegal Danger named plainly Poor Woodcutter warns that sheltering a heartless child is forbidden on pain of death.

A Shelter Made Illegal from "The Most Precious of Cargoes". A Shelter Made Illegal Danger named plainly Poor Woodcutter warns that sheltering a heartless child is forbidden on pain of death.

A Shelter Made Illegal Danger named plainly Poor Woodcutter warns that sheltering a heartless child is forbidden on pain of death. He fears that other woodcutters will inform the authorities. A choice despite the law Poor Woodcutter’s Wife answers that she will claim the girl as her own. Their decision to shelter her begins a conflict between legal danger and the responsibility they feel toward a helpless child.

The Child Hidden at Home The Child Hidden at Home from "The Most Precious of Cargoes". The Child Hidden at Home Quiet care and constant risk Poor Woodcutter’s Wife tries to keep the baby quiet when her husband returns from work.

The Child Hidden at Home from "The Most Precious of Cargoes". The Child Hidden at Home Quiet care and constant risk Poor Woodcutter’s Wife tries to keep the baby quiet when her husband returns from work.

The Child Hidden at Home Quiet care and constant risk Poor Woodcutter’s Wife tries to keep the baby quiet when her husband returns from work. A child’s cries can expose the secret and provoke the husband’s anger. Protection under strain The woman’s everyday care is shaped by concealment. Hunger and fear do not stop when the child is fed; they continue as the cost of hiding her.

A Change of Allegiance A Change of Allegiance from "The Most Precious of Cargoes". A Change of Allegiance Attachment alters the household Poor Woodcutter celebrates the girl’s first steps and lifts her with delight.

A Change of Allegiance from "The Most Precious of Cargoes". A Change of Allegiance Attachment alters the household Poor Woodcutter celebrates the girl’s first steps and lifts her with delight.

A Change of Allegiance Attachment alters the household Poor Woodcutter celebrates the girl’s first steps and lifts her with delight. His earlier hostility gives way to tenderness through shared daily life. Risk becomes shared The couple’s secret is now protected by both adults, not only by the wife. That emotional change makes the family more cohesive, but it also makes any threat against the child a threat against them all.

The Men at the Door The Men at the Door from "The Most Precious of Cargoes". The Men at the Door The secret is exposed Wood-Alcohol Distiller returns with armed men to collect the child.

The Men at the Door from "The Most Precious of Cargoes". The Men at the Door The secret is exposed Wood-Alcohol Distiller returns with armed men to collect the child.

The Men at the Door The secret is exposed Wood-Alcohol Distiller returns with armed men to collect the child. Poor Woodcutter first denies that she is adopted, then admits the truth under threat. A final chance to act He arranges for the girl to be brought to him, apparently hoping to avoid frightening her. Instead, seeing her reach for him gives him the moment to fight back.

A Deadly Escape A Deadly Escape from "The Most Precious of Cargoes". A Deadly Escape The family breaks apart Poor Woodcutter kills Wood-Alcohol Distiller and attacks the armed men, but a surviving militiaman shoots him.

A Deadly Escape from "The Most Precious of Cargoes". A Deadly Escape The family breaks apart Poor Woodcutter kills Wood-Alcohol Distiller and attacks the armed men, but a surviving militiaman shoots him.

A Deadly Escape The family breaks apart Poor Woodcutter kills Wood-Alcohol Distiller and attacks the armed men, but a surviving militiaman shoots him. He uses his last words to tell Poor Woodcutter’s Wife to flee. Protection purchased by sacrifice The woman escapes with the girl, leaving the cabin and her husband behind. The child is saved, but the cost of resistance is the destruction of the family’s former home.

The evening the couple take in the baby

During the girl’s infancy

After the child begins to walk

Shortly before dawn, years after the rescue

Immediately after the attack