Summary

In Chapter 11, a man hired by the old man, referred to as “the boatman,” comes to the grazing field and castrates Kaduvayan. The boatman becomes incredibly sad at his actions, and starts to wail uncontrollably. The old man does not care about the boatman’s emotions. He also pays for Kaduvayan’s brother, Peethan, to also be castrated. The boatman cries so intensely that he does not notice the payment of grain that is given to him. Back at the house, the old man is silent, and the old woman eventually tends to the two kids, pouring water on their groins.

In Chapter 12, the couple takes all their goats with them and goes on a four-day walking journey to their daughter’s house. One night, after playing with Oothan and Uzhumban, Poonachi wanders off into the forest. The spends the night on a...