A teenage boy named Newt Reddix attends a dance at school that is being thrown for his teacher, who is going to move away very soon. Parents talk about how much their students love the teacher and what it would be like to move away from the rural mountain near which they live. Days later, Newt processes the man's absence; he notes that the entire community seems more still and quiet now. He begins to tire of his life on a farm, believing that he is made to learn. Newt makes a decision to attend a school in Merryman; this community is a ways away but it will give him the opportunity to gain more knowledge. Though they weep over his departure, his family allows Newt to leave this side of the mountain. Newt sings as he travels through the mountain to give himself more energy. He reaches a home owned by an older couple and is allowed to stay the night with them as he continues his trek towards Merryman. In conversation, Newt realizes that the old man housing him, Tom, has traveled quite a bit in his lifetime as well. Tom feels as though he is a traitor to God for traveling so far beyond his community. He and Newt realize a coincidence: Newt has just traveled through Tom's original home within the past week. Newt becomes slightly anxious as Tom tells him that he will never forget his hometown, but he sharpens his resolve to travel to Merryman anyway.