Part 1: Chapters 3-4 Summary

In chapter three, Frikkie reluctantly returns to school, leaving Tengo without his playmate on the farm. Tengo finds himself thinking about Frikkie's attitude about school and his own inability to attend classes. There is a school nearby where his parents could send him, but Tengo's older sister became ill and died while away at school, so his parents are reluctant to allow Tengo to go as well. Tengo finds himself filled with questions for which he can find no answers, leaving him frustrated.

Tengo's cousin Joseph from Johannesburg has been ill, so his mother sends him to the farm for some rest and country air. Tengo spends those few weeks with his cousin playing and teaching Joseph to swim. Tengo is fascinated by the city, but Joseph tells him it is not such a great place to live. When...