Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.
Exposition
Sky High
Things are not looking good. Although many Africans could once fly, they lost their abilities (and their wings) after being brought to America. We meet one such person, a young mother named Sarah, forced to work backbreaking hours while carrying her child on her back.
Rising Action
Down to Earth
It's a particularly bad day in the fields and the baby is bawling. Sarah is too exhausted to do anything about it, however. Suddenly, the Driver whips the baby and Sarah falls to the ground, her spirit broken. All hope is lost.
Climax
Not So Fast
To everyone's amazement, a man named Toby comes to the rescue and Sarah begins to levitate. Then, after grabbing her baby, Sarah flies away from the plantation. Although everybody sees this go down, they're all too shocked to react.
Falling Action
Up, Up, and Away
The next day is so hot that people are collapsing left and right. Each time someone falls, however, Toby whispers the magic words into their ear and they fly away. After teaching everyone who can fly how to do so (unfortunately, there are many enslaved people who don't have this ability), Toby flies away, too.
Resolution
Free at Last
Although many slaves stay behind that day because they can't fly, eventually, they also gained their freedom. These land-locked people go on to tell the story of the people who can fly to their children, who go on to tell it their children, who go on to… Well, you get the point. To them, the story epitomizes the beauty of freedom.