The Father's Death

The man's death from illness and exhaustion, leaving the boy alone.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Final Decline

The Collapse The Last Push After the beach, they head inland. The man's cough worsens. He spits blood. He can barely push the cart. The boy watches him, knowing what is coming. The Camp They reach a crossroads. The man lies down. He tells the boy he cannot go on. The boy brings him water and food, but the man refuses. He says the boy must carry the fire. The Last Words The man tells the boy he is the best guy, that he has his whole heart. He says the boy will be lucky. He dies in the night. The boy stays with him for three days.

The Boy's Vigil

The Grief The Morning After The boy wakes to find his father cold and stiff. He sits weeping, holding his hand. He says his name over and over. The Decision to Leave After three days, he walks out to the road. A good man appears. He asks if the boy is carrying the fire. The boy says yes. He goes with the new family. The Promise The boy talks to his father every day. He does not forget. The woman says the breath of God passes through all time. The boy carries the fire forward.

after the coast, inland

three days after the death