Summary

Jdayah’s family consists of his wife, Tediin, his ooloi mate, Kahguyaht, and an ooloi child named Nikanj. The ooloi are a gender-neutral group within the Oankali that are graced with special powers on account of their strange appendages called “sensory arms.” Lilith notes that, despite their purported lack of hierarchy, Kahguyaht’s status as an ooloi appears to put it in charge.

To assuage her concerns, Kahguyaht takes Lilith to see Sharad. He is being held in a green plant pod which the Oankali have modified to nourish him while keeping him in a state of sleep. Once Lilith is reassured of Sharad’s safety, Kahguyaht takes her back to the apartment and leaves her with Nikanj, the ooloi child, telling her that she and Nikanj are effectively to function as mutual tutors; Nikanj will teach Lilith about the Oankali, and...