CHAPTER 29
Summary
- In this chapter, the matriarch Big Ammachi worries over her son walking to school in the dark early morning. She suppresses superstitions about bad luck.
- Big Ammachi's daughter Baby Mol, who has a gift for predicting events, announces the sunrise to her relief. Baby Mol enjoys smoking beedis, to her mother's disapproval. Her vigilance in watching over drying rice saves it from dangers.
- While walking to school, the young boy Philipose encounters a barge mooring in the path and recalls memories of his deceased pet dog. He also muses over the difference between dogs and cats, and development plans for the barge.
- Philipose contemplates different consequences of arriving late or wet at school due to the weather. He dreads being reprimanded by the strict teacher Saaji Saar. Despite academic success, his school life is marked by unfortunate incidents.
- Encountering a boatman violently distressed over his seemingly dead baby, Philipose bravely uses common sense to help resuscitate the baby, who had choked on chunks of rubber. They get stranded in a waterway because of a flash flood, and Philipose takes charge in the midst of the boatman's panic.
- Philipose continues to help the baby breathe and argues with the boatman to keep paddling. He fears confronting his mother about breaking his promise to avoid water. The pair crash into an underwater jetty and Philipose escapes holding the baby.
- After narrowly surviving dangerous waters, Philipose reaches land, feeling wobbly but safe. He acknowledges his own recklessness during the ordeal and moves forward to seek help for the baby's condition.