Pages 1 - 20 Summary and Analysis

Zlata speaks of her excitement of returning to school and seeing the friends she has not seen since last school term. Zlata returns to school, and all her friends share stories about the places they have been in the summer. Zlata continues to take piano and tennis lessons. She is enjoying shop class. She attends the birthday party of a schoolmate, Ivana Varunek, and enjoys the experience greatly.

Her family spends a weekend at their farm house in a region called Crnotina. The autumn leaves are changing, and Zlata expresses joy of experiencing the beauty of nature.

Zlata's father is called into the police reserves, and the entire family is worried and panicked. Father will have to serve in the police every third day. There is some political unrest that Zlata does not understand. Nevertheless, she feels the chance...