Chapter 4, The Just Man of the Flies, Part 6 Summary

Ernie believes that by running away from home he will grow up. Ernie meets a farm boy, who gives Ernie empathy he has not received from his family. Ernie lies down in a field to sleep and closely examines a fly on a flower. He captures the fly and each time he feels her bumping against his hand, he feels sympathy and grief as he understands her terror. He realizes that no matter how small the fly is, its fear of death would be just as great as his own fear. He releases the fly and decides that if he is not worthy enough to be a Just Man of men, then he would simply be a Just Man of the Flies. A farmer offers Ernie a ride home...