The Old Man Ely's Fate

The lonely wanderer Ely continues his aimless journey, a symbol of the world's end.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Meeting the Travelers

The Encounter The First Sight Ely is a small, bent figure on the road. He is fearful, but the boy offers him food. He eats ravenously. He says he is ninety years old, but it's a lie to avoid harm. The Conversation He talks about God, the end of the world, and the last god. He says he has always been on the road. He refuses to give his real name, saying he trusts no one. The Departure In the morning, the boy gives him some of their supplies. Ely sets off alone, tapping his cane. The man says he will not last long. The boy does not look back.

The Final Image

The Vanishing The Road Behind As they leave, the man looks back and sees Ely dwindling on the road, like a storybook peddler. He is dark, bent, spider thin, soon to vanish forever. The Boy's Silence The boy never looks back. He is sad but knows they cannot help him. The man thinks about Ely's words: 'There is no God and we are his prophets.' The Echo Later, the man dreams of Ely or of the old man's fate. He wonders if Ely is still alive, but knows he is probably dead. The old man's philosophy haunts him.

mid-journey

after the encounter