The Guest
In “The Guest” an idealistic teacher has chosen a teaching post in the Algerian desert as an escape from the pressures of urban life. His school has become an important center of village activities. Daru even holds the grain provided by the government to relieve the drought and gives it out to those who need it. Politics, however, intrude into the midst of this scene. Balducci, a soldier with whom Daru is acquainted, rides up with an Arab prisoner trailing on foot. Balducci wishes to transfer custody of the prisoner to Daru, in accordance with the official papers he is carrying.