Folklore Themes: The Helpless One

In some narratives there is a young child, or otherwise incapacitated person, whose role is to defeat the other characters' ability to overcome challenges. This helpless one is not only unable to help herself, but cannot be helped by anyone else. It is a theme not commonly found in legends, perhaps because there is no possibility of a satisfactory resolution. When it does appear it may be associated with despair or hopelessness.

From Finding Old Ancestor:

Empty Horn was filled with despair, and lay on the ground. "No water," he said to no one, "no hope, we will die and they will die, the world is ending."

Kick To Break pulled me away. "There is nothing you can do," he said to me, "that can help him. We must leave him and go back ourselves."