The story starts with the boy contemplanting Father Flynn"s illness and impending death. He ia fascinated with interpreting signs and symbols, and their meaning.
Later,while the boy eats his dinner, his aunt, uncle and old cotter have a conversation in which the boy is informed that the priest has died. The conversation focuses on the priest and relastionship with the boy.
That night the boy haunted by images of the priest, and he dreams of escape to a mysterious land.
