A Single Shard

by Linda Sue Park

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What caused Crane-man's death in A Single Shard?

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Crane-man's death in A Single Shard occurs when he is forced off a bridge by a farmer's heavy cart. The bridge's wood was rotten, causing Crane-man to break through the railing and fall into the water below. This accident happens while Tree-ear is away on a journey, and he learns about Crane-man's death upon his return from Min, the master potter.

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In the book A Single Shard, Crane-man acts as a father to the orphaned main character, Tree-ear. The two live under a bridge together, and Crane-man teaches him never to steal from others, despite having to eat scraps in order to survive. When Tree-ear starts working for the master potter Min and is given a meal each day, he figures out a way to save half of his lunch for Crane-man. 

When Tree-ear comes back from his journey to Songdo, he learns from Min that Crane-man has died. While Crane-man was on a bridge, a farmer with a heavy cart started crossing as well. The wood of the bridge was rotten, and when the farmer's cart came past, Crane-man was forced off the side, broke through the railing, and fell into the water below. 

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