When David is running from the police in "Earth, Speak," what help does he get from an unexpected source, and what evidence is there in the end of the story that this gesture mattered deeply to David?

When David is running from the police, he takes shelter in Ralph Nelson's sweat lodge. Ralph prevents the police from searching the place, and then he later brings David a plate of warm food. In the end of the story, David goes out of his way to return Ralph's spoon, and not only stays for a sweat but asks Ralph to teach him how to make a drum.