A Long Walk To Water Summary
Description
Here you will find a A Long Walk To Water summary (Linda Sue Park's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters A Long Walk To Water Summary Overview
The narrative intertwines the lives of two youngsters from Southern Sudan. We first encounter Nya, an 11-year-old girl in 2008, who spends her days journeying back and forth from her home to collect water for her family. In contrast, we are introduced to Salva, another 11-year-old, but in 1985. Salva's life is disrupted by war, tearing him away from his family and thrusting him onto a perilous journey of survival. As the story alternates between characters, we discover Nya's family must move to a dangerous area near a lake during the dry season. This region is contested by two aggressive tribes, one of which they belong to. Nya's sister falls ill due to the contaminated water they consume, causing the family to boil their water henceforth. Salva's journey is fraught with danger and loss. After weeks of relentless walking, he finds companionship in a fellow Dinka tribe member, Marial. However, tragedy strikes when Marial is taken by a lion. Further loss ensues when Salva’s Uncle, who had been protecting him, is killed by armed natives from a rival tribe. Despite the pain, Salva harnesses the strength of his lost loved ones and makes it to a refugee camp in Ethiopia, all while desperately looking for his family. Meanwhile, Nya’s family returns to their village with the onset of the rainy season. Men from outside their tribe arrive to drill for water near their home, providing hope for easier access to clean water. As the narrative progresses, we see Salva enduring hardships in the refugee camp, forced to cross a crocodile-infested river due to a war in Ethiopia. He survives and leads a group of boys on an 18-month journey to Kenya. By 2009, drilling continues in Nya’s village with the prospect of a clean water source and a new school. Simultaneously, Salva is chosen to relocate to the United States, where he learns about his "Lost Boy" status and eventually reunites with his family in Sudan. Back in Nya’s village, the well is finally complete, funded by students from a school in America. As Nya meets the man responsible for the well, she learns that he is a member of a rival tribe. He introduces himself as Salva, intertwining their stories in an unexpected climax.
chapter 1
Nya, an eleven-year-old girl, embarks on a journey, carrying an empty large plastic container. The searing sun is high in the sky, even though it's not noon yet. The walk would consume half her morning, but she's not deterred. In a classroom, another eleven-year-old named Salva, is distractedly looking out the window, longing for home. His school lessons are taught in Arabic, the official language of Sudan. However, his family communicates in Dinka, their tribal language. His older brothers Ariik and Ring attend school like him, while his sisters Akit and Agnath stay at home. Kuol, his youngest brother is not of school age yet. When the dry season arrives, the family will depart from the village. As Salva daydreams in class, he imagines being with his brothers, tending to their father's cattle near the water holes, playing games, and hunting. He envisions coming home to his mother, ready to greet him with her bright orange headscarf and a bowl of fresh milk. However, his daydreaming is shattered by the sound of gunshots. The religious conflict that has been raging for two years between southern rebels and the government has invaded their village. Chaos ensues outside, as villagers scatter. Salva's teacher instructs the students to flee and not to return to the village. Terrified, Salva wants to protest, to run home, but no words escape his lips. Instead, he finds himself running away into the bush, leaving his home far behind.
chapter 2
Nya plants herself on the earth, a container at her side. She winces at the large thorn embedded in her heel, attempting to extract it with her fingers before using another thorn as a tool to dislodge it. Suddenly, Salva hears an explosion and sees smoke and fire in the distance. He takes off running, his destination unknown, his family's whereabouts uncertain. As others flee, he slows his pace to match theirs. At dusk, the crowd breaks up into village groups. Salva finds himself among those from his own village, Loun-Ariik. Some faces are familiar, but his family is noticeably absent. The following day, their journey resumes under the watchful eyes of armed rebels. A sense of dread fills Salva as he ponders his family's fate. By evening, they reach the rebel base. The soldiers divide them into two groups - men, and women, children, and elderly. Salva feels torn, unsure where to go. He is from an influential family and is uncertain if he should join the men. As he attempts to, a soldier redirects him, laughing at his eagerness to grow up. The thought of reuniting with his family suppresses his fear. The next morning, despite their reluctance, no one dares to resist the rebels after witnessing a man get brutalized for objecting. When night falls, Salva's group finds shelter in a barn. His sleep is filled with anxiety about his unknown destination and his family's safety. When he wakes up, he finds himself alone, his group vanished.
chapter 3
Near the waterhole, the landscape changes from grey to olive green, bustling with life. Nya, while managing the pain from a thorn in her foot, fills her container with muddy water and secures it on her head with a cloth ring. The journey home will be longer but she hopes to reach by noon. Salva, overwhelmed by his predicament, is comforted by the sight of a woman bearing the Dinka tribe scars. His tribe, the Dinkas, have been in conflict with the Nuer tribe over water-rich lands for centuries. He greets the woman as “Auntie”, who in turn offers him peanuts from her house. Salva shares his story with her, though it chokes him with emotion. The woman lets Salva stay in her barn and he assists her with chores, hoping to return home once the conflict subsides. But, as the dry season arrives and the fighting persists, the woman decides to leave. She denies Salva accompaniment, fearing it will attract soldiers. Left alone in the barn, Salva is filled with uncertainty about his future. But he's interrupted by approaching voices. He spots the Dinka scars on the foreheads of the approaching men, sparking a glimmer of hope that his family might be amongst them.
chapter 4
Nya's mother divides the collected water into three jars at their home. After enjoying a meal of boiled sorghum and milk under the shade, Nya is told by her mother to take her younger sister, Akeer, back to the pond. Despite believing Akeer is too young for the task, Nya complies, holding her sister's hand and the empty water container. She takes the journey to the pond twice in a day, a routine she maintains seven months a year. In 1985, in Southern Sudan, Salva finds himself in the company of strangers, none are family. An elderly woman asks the men if they would have Salva accompany them. Initially reluctant, fearing he would hinder their progress and consume their food, they eventually agree after a silent persuasion from a woman. The group's decision is final, Salva, being a Dinka, will join them. Salva is handed peanuts and an empty gourd by the old woman and rushes to keep up with the group. The direction matters little to him, so long as it's away from the war. Throughout his journey, Salva experiences severe hunger. He trails the group, ending up walking alongside Buksa, a member of the Jur-chol tribe. Their pace is slow, but Buksa suddenly hastens at the sound of a honey-bird, an indication of a beehive nearby. Salva, excited by the prospect of food, rushes to inform the rest of the group.
chapter 5
Nya's family relocates to a vast lake during the dry season every year, moving away from their pond. The large lake, although dry like their pond, holds water within its clay which Nya is responsible for fetching. She toils daily, waiting for water to rise from the dug clay to fill her gourd. The process continues until the rains come enabling them to return home. Nya's tribe, the Nuer, continuously feud with the Dinka tribe over the territory surrounding the lake. However, during the parched season, the hostilities subside as both tribes focus on survival. Meanwhile, Salva endures a bee attack while the Jur-chol men attempt to smoke a hive. Despite the pain from the numerous stings, he considers it worth it for a full stomach. The walking becomes less strenuous as his hunger lessens and more people join their group daily. He constantly seeks his family among the new faces. Salva befriends a boy named Marial, who is also separated from his family. Marial convinces Salva that they're heading towards Ethiopia, which worries Salva about the likelihood of his family finding him in a foreign land. They share a laugh when Marial suggests that they could traverse the globe and return to Sudan to reunite with their families. After a month of walking, Salva and the group navigate through Aruot territory, known as the "land of the lions." Here, the nights are filled with intimidating roars and sounds of death. One day, as Salva trails behind Marial, he hears someone call his name and turns around in surprise at the sight of the person.
chapter 6
Nya has been a constant visitor to the lake camp. Despite having to dig for water, she appreciates the break from walking to the pond. Her mother, however, dreads the camp, particularly the hunting trips undertaken by her husband and older son, Dep. The possibility of a clash with the Dinka tribe terrifies her. But so far, they've been fortunate. Salva is momentarily paralyzed. Though he tries to speak, no sound emerges. Suddenly, a man calls out his name, and it's none other than his Uncle Jewiir. Upon meeting, Salva tearfully recounts his journey, and his uncle assures him of his protection. His uncle's arrival bolsters the group's spirits, and he quickly becomes a respected figure. He kills a young antelope, and though the meal causes Salva to fall sick, it lightens the group's mood. As they traverse Aruot territory, Salva and Marial stick closely to Uncle Jewiir. However, one night, after an exhausting search for water, Salva faints and awakes to the shocking news of Marial's night-time disappearance.
chapter 7
Akeer, Nya's sister, has been unwell for days, suffering from a stomachache that has now left her too frail to even groan. It's a common illness, characterized by cramps, a stomachache, diarrhea, and occasionally fever. The ailment puts Akeer in danger of death due to malnutrition and dehydration since the closest clinic with the necessary medication is several days away, and she might not survive the journey. Salva, frightened, keeps close to his uncle during their continued journey. A lion had previously attacked and carried away Marial while he was asleep. His uncle tries to comfort him, asserting that he has a gun to fend off any approaching lions. His uncle's assurance that everything will be fine leaves Salva puzzled, considering he's lost his family and now his friend. The landscape around the traveling group is increasingly lush, and Salva senses the presence of water. They come across the Nile River, which they must traverse. Beyond the river lies a desert and Ethiopia. A few members of the group have the expertise to construct boats using reeds. The group works rapidly to gather the reeds, hoping to avoid conflict or aerial bombardments in the area. Salva finds purpose in assisting with the task. After two days, the boats are complete, examined for any defects and repaired where necessary, and ready for use. They set off from the river bank and into the river.
chapter 8
Nya, her mother, and the ailing Akeer visit the bustling clinic, a large, white tent filled with medical staff. Akeer recovers significantly after only two rounds of medication. Though frail, her cheerful personality returns. A nurse informs them that Akeer's illness was waterborne and advises them to only consume pure water, or boiled water when clean water isn't accessible. The worry is evident on their mother's face. Already, Nya struggles to gather even a small quantity of water from the lake. The scarce water they managed to collect would evaporate if boiled as per the nurse's instructions. They plan to boil the water they carry home from the pond, but not the water they drink there. They are left pondering about their future at the lake. Meanwhile, Salva, on a boat ride, keeps himself alert by counting his uncle's oar strokes until they reach a river island. After disembarking, they ask the local fishermen for food. Unlike the rest, Salva's uncle receives food without having to plead, which he shares with Salva. As Salva enjoys a piece of sugar cane, he reminisces about the mangoes his father used to bring home and wonders if he'll ever see his father again. As night falls, the fishermen take shelter in their tents, protecting themselves from a swarm of mosquitos with netting. Lacking protection, Salva and his group become a feast for the mosquitos. Sleep is impossible and by morning, Salva is covered in itchy, bleeding bites. Preparing for their desert crossing, they refill their water containers and resume their river journey. The Akobo desert is their next challenge.
chapter 9
Nya's family heads back to their village, and after a few months, a Jeep arrives with two men who meet with the village chief, Nya's uncle. While they drink tea and converse, Nya learns from her brother, Dep, that their discussion is about water. Salva, his uncle, and their group make it to the desert. Salva's shoes fall apart on day one of the projected three-day journey. Walking barefoot in the scorching sun, Salva battles fatigue and thorny terrains with minimal water. As evening nears, Salva stubs his toe, losing a toenail, and the searing pain causes him to cry uncontrollably and lag behind. His uncle comes to his aid, using his full name, "Salva Mawien Dut Arrik", to guide him forward to the bushes. Uncle continues to encourage him towards other landmarks, one step at a time, until they can rest at nightfall. The following day, they stumble upon nine men sprawled in the sand, some barely responsive and others still. A woman from the group tentatively offers aid, wetting a cloth to soothe a man's parched lips, despite a warning from a fellow traveler that such help was futile and risked her own water supply.
chapter 10
After a meeting, Nya, along with other kids, trails behind men as they move towards a tree near her home, with another tree standing farther away. One of the strangers and Nya's uncle stop midway between the two trees while the other man investigates the second tree. Speaking in an unfamiliar language, one man informs Nya's uncle that they'll find water between the trees. Nya is left perplexed about finding water in a seemingly dry spot. Salva wants to drink from his gourd, but his uncle advises him to conserve it. After three women replenish the men's water supply, they rejoin the group, refreshed. As Salva passes the bodies of five deceased men, he ponders if he would have shared his water, given he was older and stronger. While traversing the desert, Salva shares his worries about finding his family with his uncle, only to learn that his village has been razed and chances of survivors are slim. Uncle also reveals his plan to return to Sudan for the war, leaving Salva to fend for himself while promising to search for his family. Following two days without nourishment, the group arrives at a pond surrounded by trees. Despite the unsafe water, they manage to roast a dead stork over a fire. Suddenly, armed men appear. One of them, displaying Nuer tribe scars, confronts Uncle, confiscating his weapon and tethering him to a tree. After seizing the group's possessions, the men head back to the tree holding Uncle. Salva watches helplessly as a man fires three shots at Uncle before they flee.
chapter 11
As the two men depart the settlement, the inhabitants start to prepare the land between the trees. Nya consistently makes her journey to the pond, puzzled how water could exist in such dry, hard land. Dep too is skeptical. Following Uncle's burial, the group plunges into mourning. They recommence their journey as night falls. Salva, reeling from the loss of Marial and Uncle, finds strength in their memory. With Uncle absent, the group's complaints about Salva increase. They assert he's too young and hinders their progress. Uncle was generous, now they offer nothing to Salva. Despite this, Salva grows stronger, determined to show his value. Upon arriving at the refugee camp, Salva is astounded by the thousands of people, primarily males, seeking refuge from the war. Salva, like them, escaped to avoid being drafted. Salva mingles with other displaced children at the camp, hoping to find his family. The stillness feels strange after days of constant movement. He eats for the first time that evening and again the next morning. By afternoon, he spots a woman wearing a bright orange headscarf, reminiscent of his tall mother, and races towards her.
chapter 12
A group of ten men with two trucks and a drill resembling an iron giraffe descends upon the village. They unpack various equipment, including plastic pipes, as they get ready to clear the land. Several women, including Nya’s mother with her infant tied securely to her back, gather rocks and stones. After bundling them in cloth, they carry the heavy load on their heads back to the drilling site. The rocks are then broken down into smaller, gravel-sized pieces. As Nya fetches water from the pond daily, she is greeted by the noise of machinery and team effort. However, the sound of water eludes her. Salva's call for his mother goes unanswered, making him realize the grim reality of his family's disappearance. He questions how he'll survive without them. Then, he harks back to his uncle's encouragement in the desert—aiming for small, achievable goals when the going got tough. Salva resolves to just get by, one day at a time. Fast forward six years, Salva is now almost seventeen. Rumblings about the Ethiopian government's downfall and the probable closure of the camp are rife. Suddenly, trucks carrying soldiers storm into the camp, creating havoc and forcing everyone to flee Ethiopia. Amidst the pandemonium, Salva learns that the refugees are being directed towards the Gilo River, marking the boundary between Ethiopia and Sudan. With the rainy season in full swing, the river is dangerously full and fast-moving, and infested with crocodiles.
chapter 13
Day in and day out, the crew cart water from the pond to the drill site, filling a gigantic bag on the truck's back. The cycle is often disrupted when the bag leaks, halting drilling until it's fixed. Though the team grows weary, their supervisor motivates them to persist. Even when frustration boils over, they fix the bag and return to their laborious task. From a nearby riverbank, Salva observes a horrifying scene: soldiers firing into the crowd and forcing people into the crocodile-infested waters. A young man vanishes beneath the surface, a meal for the monstrous reptiles. As the soldiers pepper the water with bullets, Salva plunges in. A boy clutches him, pulling him underwater before releasing him. Emerging, Salva sees a bullet wound in the boy's neck. That day, a thousand lives were lost in the river; Salva, however, makes it to the opposite shore. Unable to return home due to the escalating conflict in Sudan and the looming threat in Ethiopia, Salva sets his sights on Kenyan refugee camps. As he embarks on this journey, others join him, and before long, he finds himself leading a group of over a thousand boys. The youngest evoke memories of his own brother Kuol, who he realizes is no longer a child. The group traverses the dangerous landscape at night to avoid battles and bombings, with newcomers adding to their ranks and sharing their stories of survival. Salva coordinates the group, delegating tasks like food scavenging, firewood collection, and assistance for the weary young ones. He encourages, reprimands, and sometimes roars to keep morale up, drawing strength from the thought of his family. After an arduous journey lasting more than a year, the group finally reaches Kenya.
chapter 14
The drilling noise is deafening. On day three, a crowd huddles around the drilling area, the supervisor shouting commands. Suddenly, a different noise, followed by water gushing up and dousing the workers. Everyone erupts in joyous laughter and clapping, Nya keeping the beat to a spontaneous celebratory tune. But then she notices the water, now a muddy brown. Salva, aged 22, has resided in two Kenyan refugee camps for half a decade. His initial camp, Kakuma, felt like a jail. After two years, he embarks on a months-long journey to Ifo camp with a group of men, only to face similar conditions. Despite his healthy condition, Salva can't find work and can only wait hopefully. Michael, an Irish aid volunteer, takes Salva under his wing, teaching him English and even introducing him to volleyball. A wave of excitement rolls through the camp with whispers of 3,000 men being selected to go to the U.S. If your name is on the list at the camp's main tent, you could potentially be chosen to leave for America. Each day, Salva waits in vain for his name to appear. His days are a combination of optimism and despair. But then, Michael rushes over with exciting news. Salva races to the tent to confirm—his name is on the list. He's heading to Rochester, New York.
chapter 15
Children are cautioned against consuming the turbid water while the men persist in their drilling work. Nya's father and the group's leader converse, with Dep later explaining to Nya that the water's murkiness is due to mixing with pond water. He assures her that as they dig deeper, the water will become clean. A pipe will be set up, a base formed, and cement poured around it. The water can be consumed after the cement dries but it will take some days. Not surprised by another trip to the pond, Nya prepares her plastic container and heads off. Salva discovers his status as a Lost Boy, one of those who have been separated from their families and residences due to war. He and eight more boys journey to Nairobi, Kenya's capital. They complete a range of tasks, from filling forms and medical tests to taking photos and receiving new apparel. As it is winter in America, Salva plans to wear all his new clothes at once. Salva's journey to Rochester, his new home, comprises of three different flights. During his first flight, he requests a Coca Cola, reminiscent of the bottles his father used to bring home. His thoughts wander to his family as he observes the other families on board the flights. Upon his arrival in Rochester, Salva is welcomed by Chris, Louise and their four children, his new family. After a series of greetings and expressions of gratitude, he puts on more winter attire. He feels a sense of finality in leaving his home country and family as he exits the airport, his eyes welling up. He steps out, ready to embrace his new life and family.
chapter 16
The thrill dissipates as villagers get back to their duties. However, a group of men gather before Nya's home, armed with work tools. They follow Nya's father towards a spot near a large tree and start to clear the surrounding area. Noticing Nya's curiosity, her father invites her over and explains that they are preparing the ground for construction. When Nya questions the purpose, her father merely grins. Salva finds Rochester unlike any place he's ever visited, leaving him bewildered. Putting his efforts into learning English, he also becomes part of a volleyball team where language isn't a barrier. After six years in Rochester, Salva's now a college student pursuing business studies. He contemplates going back to Sudan to contribute to his people, wondering how he could be of assistance. An email from his cousin one evening stuns Salva. The news is that his father is alive, recuperating from a stomach surgery in a UN clinic in Southern Sudan. His cousin stumbled upon Salva's father's name while working for a relief organization. After arranging a trip to Sudan months later, through a series of flights and postponements, Salva finally lands in Juba, in the southern part of Sudan. The journey to his father takes him on a Jeep ride through the bush, a mix of familiar and strange sights. Tired, he reaches the hospital and informs the welcoming lady that he's there to meet Mawien Dut Ariik.
chapter 17
Nya's father reveals that they're building a school, due to their village now having water. The concept of not having to fetch water and instead attending school leaves Nya stunned. Her father sends her off to fetch water, and Nya feels a thrill at the thought of learning to read and write. After 19 years, Salva reunites with his father at a clinic. His father shares that Salva's mother is alive, but warns him against returning due to the ongoing war. He also shares that while two of Salva's brothers are dead, his sibling Ring is alive. The father had journeyed hundreds of miles to reach the clinic, his health deteriorating from drinking dirty water. The two part ways, with Salva promising to visit again once it's safer. On his way home, Salva plans his next steps with the help of friends, Chris and Louise, and project coordinator Scott. The task is to raise funds by sharing about his project. Drawing courage from his past experiences, Salva is determined to make it happen. Over the next three years, Salva continues to remain hopeful, always remembering his uncle's advice to take "one step at a time". He knows his goal is within reach.
chapter 18
The villagers assemble around the completed well. Nya's uncle and the crew leader raise a blue canvas, which reads 'Elm Street School' in English. A photo is taken of the villagers around the sign, to be shared with the American students who funded the well. Nya fills her bottle with fresh water from the well and savors the cool, clean drink. The well, located where the villagers once celebrated, promises a brighter future. Nya, Dep, and Akeer will soon start school and there are plans for a marketplace and possibly a medical clinic. The well will be shared across many villages, some of which are a long walk away. No one will be turned away, and the villagers will work together to keep it in good condition. Nya's uncle will assist in resolving any potential disputes. Nya's long walks for water are finally over. Nya spots the crew leader standing alone and is surprised to learn from Dep that he is a Dinka. She, like most of the crew, is Nuer, and their tribes are traditionally in conflict. Intrigued, Nya approaches the man, thanks him for the water, and shares her name. The man introduces himself as Salva.
