Summary

In Chapter 22, after Kali and Muthu leave, Ponna's parents prepare her for the festival. A cart arrives to pick them up. Seeing other women with children on the way excites Ponna. Stopping for water, the family collects a man, Maran, his wife, and their two children.

In Chapter 23, Ponna admires the children, while hoping Maran does not ask if she has any of her own. She recalls another ride with another family where she held a woman Kannaay's child in her lap. She told Kannaaya the child smelled and Kannaaya told Ponna she knew nothing about children. Ponna cried and Kali told her to ignore the unkindness of other women. Angry with Kali after that instance, Ponna did not speak to him for a month. Only when Kali asked for her help delivering a calf, complimenting her expertise with young animals, did Ponna...