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...'s confidence and satisfaction over the proceedings. Has Leon understood something that the priest cannot? So what is the conflict? I think the conflict centers on the need both men have to do their duty to both the dead and the living while not offending the other's tradition. For both men this seems to involve some compromise. It seems that the priest bends more, without really understanding that the new, fused tradition must meet the needs of this land and people. Some parts of the Plot structure are easy: While the precipitating incident may seem to be the death of Teofilo, I place it instead at the moment when Leon deceives Father Paul because that introduces the conflict between the two men, the two cultures. The exposition, which in this case is mostly before the Precipitating Incident, includes the setting, introduction of two characters, burial traditions and rituals, the request for rain clouds, and the fact that Leon and Ken gather the sheep before performing the death rituals. This is foreshadowing of their life--their practical acknowledgement of the unforgiving realities of their New Mexico existence. It also foreshadows that the death of Teofilo is not the real problem. The rising action is the deception of the priest, the family at home scenes (note the traditional beaded moccasins, the new Levis), the references to the funeral rites, the neighbors and grave diggers, and Louise's hesitant but anxious request for holy water. The turning point is when the priest decides, without quite know why, to break from catholic tradition and supply the wat...