Summary

Chapter 1 is in the lyric voice of the native myth. It is a brief account of the movement of a people as a result of wars and other disasters. Those who come in their wake find the charred wood of fires, the bones of birds, and the tracks of a great bear.

In Chapter 2, Set has gone to the area around Tsoai on a spiritual journey. He has had nothing but tea for four days, and he settles in a clearing. He sees in his mind’s eye Grey, who is swollen with their unborn child. He is filled with love for her, and then his mind turns to the story of the bear. He is the boy chasing after his sisters, and they are running toward the wood. They are all laughing and delighted as he pretends to be a bear...