Act I

Act I of Brother's memory, the story of his time with Doodle, opens when Doodle is born. It covers the time leading up to Doodle's birthday walk, and includes the time after, when Doodle and Brother spend time together telling stories and enjoying the Beauty of Old Woman Swamp.

Act II

In Act II things get a bit grim. The act opens with Brother's vow to turn Doodle into a running, jumping, boat rowing, and "normal" boy before he starts school in less that one year. It ends when Doodle buries the scarlet ibis in the flower garden that fateful Saturday afternoon, the weekend before school starts.