That Ma and Pa’s fights haven driven Ma to leave before implies that Jodie is wrong to think that Ma’s departure has nothing to do with survival. In fact, it’s evident that she left for precisely the same reason that the fox left her cubs—to protect herself. Unfortunately, this leaves Kya and her siblings on their own, forcing them to come of age before they’re ready because they now need to fend for themselves. And yet, Kya and Jodie still manage to revel in the joys of childhood, though even their innocent games are curtailed by the worry that comes along with Ma’s absence.