I contadini di Krum discutono della situazione politica e delle tensioni religiose nella regione, con divisioni tra cattolici ed evangelici. Un amore tra un cattolico e un'evangelica provoca conflitti familiari, portando alla loro emigrazione in America. Ignazio sogna di forgiare di notte, mentre la vita quotidiana continua.
Un pomeriggio d'estate, un incontro speciale avviene mentre si pedala verso Krum. L'autore conosce Willi, un uomo con un trattore d'epoca, e scopre che entrambi hanno radici comuni. Dopo aver scambiato numeri di telefono, l'autore parla con la moglie di Willi, scoprendo ulteriori legami tra le loro famiglie.
A young girl and women from a village prepare dishes for a festival in Buch, where Georg Niklaus notices Maria. The celebration is a success, but the sleeping arrangements are cramped. The narrator recalls family traditions, church visits, and a major lifestyle change when their old house is replaced by a new one, affecting their living situation.
As children, we admired Alfred Persch's estate, with its impressive garden paths and charming statues. The enchanting pond with goldfish and a fountain felt like a fairy tale. Alfred, a former barber, skillfully cut our hair in his modest salon, where he was kind and patient, despite a subtle tension with his wife.
Various traders visited our farm to sell their goods, including a horseradish seller and local shoe merchants, each speaking in their dialects. The most intriguing were unannounced livestock traders, with whom my father skillfully negotiated. They used a secret language derived from Yiddish, still recognizable today, to ensure better deals.
Today, I found a beautiful Junghans watch on the roadside. Initially, I thought it was just trash, but it still works despite the worn leather strap. This was my first chronometer, and I loved it for its simplicity, even without modern features. However, one day, I realized it was missing after searching everywhere.
The narrator recalls the joy of owning a simple wristwatch, contrasting its lack of modern features with the constant distractions of today's technology. Despite being reprimanded for checking the time, the watch held sentimental value until it was lost. As seasons changed, the narrator gradually accepted the loss, moving on with life.
Maria and Georg lie awake in bed, each wanting to ask the other about marriage but too shy to speak. While Georg dreams of Maria, she wakes to the sound of his name. The next morning, they enter a grocery store, unsure of their surroundings. Meanwhile, rumors about Maria circulate in the village, with others blaming her for their troubles.
The narrative depicts a character's discomfort during a luxurious stay in L.A., contrasting wealth with emotional longing for home and family. Amidst observations of lavish lifestyles and societal commentary, the protagonist feels increasingly isolated, leading to an early return. Themes of ambition, trust, and the nature of management are also explored.
The community came together for a threshing day, enjoying a hearty meal and celebrating their cooperation. Afterward, they excavated a wayside shrine, rumored to hold treasure, but found only wet sand, leading to disappointment. They channeled their frustration into helping with the new house construction.