Part 3, pages 188-218 Summary

Marx discusses vegetarianism with Amanda, arguing that the Hindus originally chose to revere the cow because of the animal products it provided. Unsettled by this idea, Amanda retreats to meditate on the subject. When she returns, Amanda decrees that there is nothing morally wrong with eating meat, but still refuses to do so. Eating meat may be karmically acceptable, but stockyards, she argues, are not. The residents of the zoo wait with anticipation for Plucky's first letter from the Vatican.

Now that Marx has been working at the zoo for a month, Amanda asks him if he's figured out what she and John Paul are up to, spiritually speaking. Marx posits that it begins with freedom, a defiance of convention. Amanda is impressed by Marx's theory, but more by the beauty of his passionate words than in the meaning...