Chapter 30 Summary

Nhamo grieves the loss of her provisions and her mother's picture. She lies on her platform neither eating nor drinking. She is just waiting to die. The spirit of Crocodile Guts visits her to tell her his relatives have made their offerings and now he is going home. He also tells her that the water spirits, who come as snakes, might visit her since they will be lonely when he is gone. They do visit her, forcing some water into her, which renews her drive to live.

She spends an entire day eating and drinking to regain her strength, then Nhamo makes plans for how she will prepare. As she works on her boat, she senses a difference in the forest, then she realizes trees are budding, which means the rainy season is about to start. She is mad at herself for waiting...