Chapter 13 Summary

Nhamo's river journey continues. She had fallen asleep and now wakes up, taking a minute to remember where she is. She is not sure what part of the river she is on, so she decides it must be time to row against the current, as Grandmother had instructed her. It is much harder than she had imagined. The village fisherman, Crocodile Guts, must have been much stronger, since he made it look easy. Nhamo has to rest frequently, eating and bailing water out of the boat. The first night she realizes she has never been this alone before.

The next day, Nhamo is determined to make good time, but a group of hippos unnerves her and she goes to shore until they leave. To distract herself from her fear, she lies in the boat telling herself stories. She recounts the creation story of...