start of the novel, we meet these children as they engage in spirited conversations about the myths and histories of their city, particularly focusing on the architecture of the Cologne Cathedral and other historical sites. The children’s banter is lively, filled with playful teasing and a budding sense of camaraderie and rivalry. Carmen, the only girl in the group, stands out with her curiosity and imaginative spirit, asking about the legend of the first builder of the Cathedral and expressing her desire to know all their stories. Meanwhile, Moritz, who admires Carmen, finds himself caught in the competitive dynamics between her and Laurenz, all while they explore their feelings towards family, identity, and the world around them. The chapter serves to set the mood for a nostalgic exploration of childhood and the foundational memories that shape later life experiences. (This is an automatically generated summary.)