Summary

The narrator, Ana, opens the story by telling the reader that life “on the steppe” is difficult (177). They are miles from town, and when Pol goes into town to get the items on Ana’s lists, she conducts “activities that [she] prefers to do alone” (178). These are different fertility recipes that she follows. At night, the two of them gather their flashlights and nets and make their way into the countryside. They hid behind shrubs and Ana wonders “what they’ll really be like” (179). Whatever these beings are, Ana and Pol are very excited to have one.

One night as Pol is approaching home, Ana runs outside to help him with the groceries and Pol declares that he met a couple. Apparently, they have come to the countryside for the very same reason as Ana and Pol, and “they have one” (180). Pol...