Deng and Achol grew up in a small village in South Sudan. They were next-door neighbors and had been friends since they were young children. They spent most of their days playing games and exploring the nearby fields and forests. Despite their different backgrounds, Deng being from the Dinka tribe and Achol from the Nuer tribe, they never let their differences get in the way of their friendship. They respected each other’s cultures and traditions and always found common ground through their shared love of storytelling and music. As they grew older, the civil war in South Sudan started to affect their village. Many families were displaced, and there were frequent attacks by different factions. Despite the danger, Deng and Achol remained by each other’s side and helped each other through the difficult times. One day, Deng’s family was forced to flee the village during a particularly violent attack. Achol’s family offered to take Deng in and keep him safe, even though their tribes had been enemies. Deng stayed with Achol’s family for many months, and they supported each other through the ongoing conflict. They often talked about their dreams for the future and how they hoped that one day they could help bring peace to their country. After many years of fighting, a peace agreement was finally signed. Deng and Achol were overjoyed and knew they had to do their part to help rebuild their community. They started working together to build a school in their village where children from both tribes could learn and play together. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, the school was a great success, and it helped to bridge the divide between the Dinka and Nuer tribes in their village. Deng and Achol’s friendship played a crucial role in bringing their community together, and they remained lifelong friends who always looked out for each other.

Deng is a tall, skinny boy with a “serious face” and a “quiet voice.” He is resourceful and determined, as evidenced by his journey to find his lost sister. He wears a simple outfit of a tattered shirt and shorts, with a scarf around his neck for warmth. Achol is younger than Deng and is described as having a “round, cherubic face” and a “bright smile.” She is also resourceful and determined, as she manages to survive independently in the wilderness for some time. She wears a simple dress made of rough material and has a small bag of supplies. Deng and Achol make a strong team, with Deng’s practicality and Achol’s optimism.