A Million Shades of Gray

In the Central Highlands of Vietnam, clusters of mountain people lived in neatly arranged villages. The Montegnards knew the jungles better than anyone and were America's most loyal allie during the Vietnam War. But, when the US pulled out, Montagnards were left to pay a terrible price. Y-Juen's village, once a base camp for US special forces, is quickly occupied by the Viet Cong and the ominous hole - dug deeper and wider by the hour - is a constant reminder of where things are headed. The fathers (on whom the VC are seeking revenge for having helped the special forces) had fled early, hiding in the dense cover of the jungle, and twelve-year old Y-Juen, the village elephant keeper, and his friend Y-Tin begin to wonder if they should follow them, or should they stay and wait. Wait for what? The answer was too terrible to imagine and the alternative - escape and possibly die in the jungle - at least offers some hope. They could make it to Thailand; they could make it to America; they could just maybe find their fathers.