Summary

This short story begins with a second person narrator informing readers about Bajpe, the last forested area that is left in Kittur. It was designated by the founding fathers of Kittur as a "cleansing lung" and it has been protected from real estate developers for 30 years (291). It stretches from Kittur to the Arabian Sea and is bordered on the town side by Ganapati Hindu Boys' School and a small temple of Ganesha. Bishop Street is next to the temple and the only part of the neighborhood where houses are allowed. A large wasteland stands beyond the street and bordered the forest. The residents of Bishop Street are usually sitting on their terraces, enjoying the cool breezes that come from the forest. Guests and hosts gather to watch the various birds that fly out of the forest at dusk. The sun burns...