Chapter 17 Summary

The king and Henderson talk for hours, and Henderson summarizes Dahfu's conviction that a connection exists between the inside and outside appearance of people, and emotions and characteristics are physically manifested. Henderson can see Dahfu's resemblance to lions, and Dahfu points out the Arnewi's resemblance to cattle. Henderson wonders if he resembles pigs. Henderson feels terrible to think he is responsible for his own physical appearance, because it is so shocking. Dahfu lends Henderson several books and tells Henderson that his dream of being a doctor is attainable.

Henderson's routine as Sungo includes lunches with Bunam and others high-ups, visits to Mummah, and marching through town distributing cups of water to villagers. He tries to read the literature the king gave him, but finds it difficult because he isn't "calm enough to read." Henderson does find reference in some of articles to the...