Part One, Sections 9 and 10 (to page 71) Summary and Analysis

Ernie cites three memorable events that occur during the last year he lives in Jalco. By opening the section with this statement, Ernie makes it clear to the reader that he and his family will be moving on from the village he so clearly loves. As of yet, he has not explained to the reader why they must leave.

The events that precede Ernie's departure from Jalco are the death of his dog Nerun, the flooding of the arroyo, and the sighting of Halley's Comet. Ernie begins his recount of Nerun's death by describing the dog's daily routine. Nerun typically stays in the family's corral at night, growling only when he senses prowlers coming in from the forest. In the daytime, the dog would lie in the sun, play with other...