Saturday, March 31, 2018

A Long Walk To Water / Summary

 Chapter 1

Salva (the protagonist) was diligently learning at his school when suddenly a loud noise came from outside. The teacher told the children not to panic and headed outside to see what the commotion was about. Then, she ran back inside and said to hide in the bush. Apparently, Northern and Southern Sudan were in a war. You see, at the time the Northern side was mainly Muslim, so the government wanted all of Sudan to follow the religion of Islam. However, the Southern side refused to practice Islam because they have a different set of beliefs. Now the two sides are fighting and the crossfire finally came to where Salva and his family's village were located. Most of the kids were too afraid to move and some immediately ran outside (away from their villages because that was where the fighting was happening), Salva was one of those kids.

Chapter 2

Salva had been walking with a group of people whom he knew nothing about. One of the men said to everyone, "Separate into groups of your villages!". Then the walk continued, however, shortly after a group of rebel soldiers (Southern Side) told the groups to separate from the woman to the men. Salva considered himself a man although he was still a teenager and walked over to the other males. One of the rebel soldiers saw what he was doing and pointed his gun at him. Salva suddenly had a rush of fear and closed his eyes. When he opened them again the man was laughing and said he was still not a man. The soldier gently pushed Salva into the women's side where other children like him were. 
The walk continued again and the men were supposed to stay and help the soldiers. Fortunately for Salva, he was in the women's side so he hadn't needed to work.

Chapter 3

The group that Slava was in had taken a rest. But by the next day, they had left him. He was in shock and didn't know what to do. Thankfully, there was a house close by so he walked over and knocked on the door. An old woman opened the door was surprised to see him. She kindly let him in and gave Salva food and water. Then asked what was Salva doing here. He explained everything that happened, about how he was separated from his family because of the war and then his group had left him. The woman obviously had sympathy for him and let Salva stay for another night or two. After the days the woman explained that she needed to head over to the nearest village where there was water. Salva couldn't come with her and he begged to let him come with her. Unfortunately, she still said no and another group had come. 

Chapter 4

At that point, the woman left Salva had asked to join the group that passed by. They were Dinka (tribe or clan) just like him which was the only reason he was allowed to stay. The woman from before had given him a bag of peanuts and gourd for water before leaving so he silently thanked her for that. Afterward, the group continued walking for hours and even days. A man named, "Buska" was from a different clan but still stayed with them. Suddenly, the man stopped moving and Salva followed. Then Buska started running and again Salva did the same. He had been following a bird and found honey! Buska told Salva to bring the rest of the clan where the beehive was! Tonight they were going to feast!

Chapter 5

Salva and two other people had injuries due to the bee stings. However, according to Salva it was all worth it. Only one man wasn't able to enjoy his honesy that was because he got stung on the tounge. Salva felt bad for him, but knew he couldn't do anything. Before everyone finished the honey Salva had saved a part of the beehive (beewax) and wrapped it in a blanket. Then he would chew on it for the memory of honey. One day as the group was walking Salva accidently stepped on someone's hand. It was another kid named, "Marial" and the two of them quickly became friends (all because Salva stepped on his foot). Marial too had lost his family which is another reason why they became friends. Marial told Salva they were going to Ethopia and he was shocked, the goal of walking was for him to find his family, not go father away from them! 

Chapter 6

While talking to Marial Salva had found his uncle! Sure, he hadn't seen him in a while but it was still good to have some relatives. Suddenly, the group was in a part of the region where dessert was everywhere. Lions would feast on their prey at night so whenever the group slept two or three men would keep guard. One night, Salva ahd said goodbye to Marial and the next day he was gone. Salva searched everywhere but couldn't find him. Then Uncle told him the said truth that Marial had been killed while asleep by a lion.

Chapter 7

Salva felt depressed and scared at the same time knowing that Marial was gone. He would have wanted for Salva to make it to Ethopia. However, Salva just couldn't stop crying. First he had lost his family, now he lost his only friend. Who would he lose next? So the kid stay near his Uncle at all times and they continued walking until the only thing left between Ethopia and them was the Nile River. Uncle and a group of other men started building ships to float across the river.

Chapter 8

The boats calmly floated halfway through the Nile River. Then they stopped because there was an island full of food run by other people! The people had to bed for food while Uncle didn't need to ask. It was either that they knew he was the leader or that he had a gun. It didn't matter because Uncle had given Salva some food to eat and then the group ahd slept. However, the mosquitos came started stinging everyone while they were asleep. By morning there was no one who didn't get stung. They quickly got abck on the boats and start floating through the other half of the river.

Chapter 9

The desert was still fearless and burned the whole group. Up ahead, Salva saw 9 big rocks (or so he thought). When he looked a it closer he realized they were the bodies of 9 men from their group. 5 of them, had already looked dead but the other 4 still had some life. One of the woman grabbed her gourd and poured water into one of the men's mouth. She cried desperately for him to get back up and two other women did the same thing. Salva felt like giving some water too but his uncle stopped him. He was still young so there was no reason to give water, others could manage better. 

Chapter 10

As they were walking Uncle stopped Salva. He explained that he needed to go back to war and fight for his people. Salva was saddened and begged his uncle not to go. As almost on cue a group of rebels walked towards the group. They saw Uncle with a  gun and asked whether he was with the rebels. Uncle replied with a no and the soldiers tied him to a tree. Then the men looted whatever they wanted from the people in Salva's group. Before leaving, teh soldiers walked over to Uncle and shot him 3 times. That was the last time Salva ever saw his Uncle. 

Chapter 11

Soon enough, the group had made it to a refugee camp in Ethopia. Salva had never seen so many people in one area. It was pretty huge (get the pun?) for him. The kid was determined to find his family if they were here. Anyway, suddenly Salva saw a orange headscarf and walked towards the person who was wearing it. Apparently, the orange headscarf reminded him of someone from his tribe. Then, he saw that it was a woman and as tall as his mother. Salva rushed over to her and knew he mustn't lose her!

Chapter 12

After a few minutes of Salva knew what his Uncle meant when he said, "Few people survived the attack of your family's village". Uncle was implying that his family was most likely dead and he was alone by himself. Six Years Later, Salva had heard knews about the refugee camp being closed due to the governent falling apart. And it wasn't just this camp, it was every camp in Ethopia! Suddenly, the main entrance to the refugee camp had been broken. A group of soldiers were forcing people to leave, many were being shot. Salva was terrified and refused to die so he ran just like everyone else. Then suddenly, he knew where the soldiers wee forcing the people to leave. The Gilo River, known mostly for its crocodiles!

Chapter 13

Thousands of people lined the riverbanks and soldiers on their horses were forcing some to jump into the water. Others were too afraid and did it by themselves. Salva watched as almost half of the people in the water were swept downstream and plunged into the water by a crocodile Salva had lots of fear but knew he must make it across for his family. So he went down and started running with all his force. A boy behind him wrapped his hand on Salva's neck and dragged him underneath. Then the grip on the neck loosened and Salva was able to get his head back above the water. 

Chapter 14

Spoiler Alert: Salva made it out the water and ventured with a bunch of boys to another refugee camp in Kenya. There, Salva was taught English by a man named, "Micheal". He was an aid worker that came from Ireland. Salva was determined to learn English before Micheal had to go abck to the U.S. However, Micheal also taught Salva other things like how to play Volleyball. They became good friends. Then one day, the aid workers announced that 3000 people from the refugee camps were being selected to go to America. Salva was super excited because he met all the requirements. Still, there was still a chance that he wouldn't be able to go. After the first 2 or three sheets of names going to America Salva gave up. However, Micheal read the 4th one and found his name on it, Salva was going to America!

Chapter 15

Salva said goodbye to Micheal and met another aid worker who talked to the 8 peopele selected from this refugee camp. The woman had a bit of trouble speaking to Salva and the 7 other people because she could only speak English and a bit of Arabic. Soon enough, Salva was on a plane by himself to New York city, where his new family was waiting for him. They were a white couple with 4 children and happily greeted him. At first Salva felt as though he wasn't fitting in but the family enver laughed at him or made fun of teh way he was dressed. They became close friends and Salva appreciated there help.

Chapter 16

After being a month in America Salva got an email from one of his distant cousins. They ahd said that his father was alive and at a hospital in Southern Sudan. Salva knew this was a once in a lifetime oppurtunity and started filling out lots of paperwork. Soon enough, he was on his first plane to Uganda. Then from there, he took a 2 day trip on a truck to the clinic where his father was being held. Salva was fasinated by the scenery in Sudan. Then again, he felt like memories of his childhood were coming back to him through the dirt roads and desert. When Salva got to the hospital he asked where was his father, "Where is Mawien Dut Ariik?".

Chapter 17

At first his father didn't recognize him because of how much he grew. However, after a few awkward moments they started hugging. Salva's father explained that his mother and sister's were at the village but it would be difficult to get there due to the war. Salva swore to come back and bring the family together and his father said goodbye. Later on, Salva organized a group project where they would bring water and food to Sudan. It was basically like being another aid worker. That was the end of the book. 


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