The End of the World, Guardian, Thoreau Summer, and Journeyman Summary

The End of the World

Rick's family is moving. Brown cannot imagine the woods without Rick, or even life without Rick. Their friendship is so profound that they cannot find words to speak at parting. Brown gives Rick his favorite skull, and Rick returns the favor. They also divide up the plaster casts of tracks they've made.

Grandfather Stalking Wolf, Rick and Brown meet one last time at the Good Medicine Cabin. Stalking Wolf reassures the boys they will all meet again. The boys cannot speak, and the silence is strange and awful. Finally, they return to Brown's room and take down the box of plaster prints. It falls, crashes, and breaks all the casts. This symbolizes the breaking up of the lifelong friendship of...