Stick to the raft

In the quiet forests of Bavaria, a widowed wood‑cutter and his teenage son ek­e on a life of honest labour. Hans Richter, though poor in worldly goods, clings to an unshakeable faith that steadies him through grief, cold, and the endless grind of felling firs and burning charcoal. The pair have just finished a modest, conical hut deep in the woods, a simple shelter that promises a fresh start after a harsh winter that claimed the mother’s life and left the father weakened.

The son, eager and diligent, takes on the day’s work while his father rests, hoping the coming summer will bring enough timber to repay debts and secure a modest future. Their daily rhythm is punctuated by quiet prayers, neighborly visits, and the looming task of a final tree—one that may hold the key to their survival. As the forest awakens, the story steadies itself on themes of perseverance, familial love, and the quiet strength found in unwavering hope.