Hanson caught up a bit of sun-stuff on the sharp point of the awl and brought it closer, until it burned his hands.
Afraid of getting burned, Hanson left the sun-stuff. 
mnli hypothesis: Afraid of getting burned, Hanson left the sun-stuff.  premise: Hanson caught up a bit of sun-stuff on the sharp point of the awl and brought it closer, until it burned his hands.