The passage tells about the poor economic condition of Rocco when he lived in orphanage where all the boys dressed alike and were taken care by some nuns. All the boys would beg every morning and Grandpa took all their money. Rocco got frightened when he heard him the old man talking to someone else and asking the price to make Rocco a cripple. Eventually he found a job as fishermen and a priest taught him how read and write as well duties to church. After that he made some money and traveled to USA.
