Chapters 21 - 24 Summary and Analysis

When Earthworm hears the plan to engage the seagulls with the peach, he is horrified and sure that he is going to be pecked to death by the birds. James promises him that he won't let the seagulls touch him. The insects know that time is running out, the sea is churning with sharks that continue to hurl themselves at the peach. All the insects, except Earthworm, head down into the pit while Silkworm and Spider frantically spin. Earthworm hangs, one half above ground, looking juicy as a sausage to the seagulls, with the other half dangling into the peach. James hides just below the surface with a threaded loop in his hands. The first seagull approaches, he flies in so close, James can see the blackness in its eyes. Right before the seagull's beak pierces through Earthworm's flesh...