Chapter 2, Birth Summary

Shabanu comments that the rains of winter have forced snakes and scorpions out of their underground homes, which attracts vultures that want to eat them. Shabanu is tending the camel herd because with water readily available everywhere, the camels tend to wander off. While she is tending them, she notices vultures hovering and hears a bellowing sound. Shabanu runs toward the sound. She comes upon a female camel lying on the ground surrounded by vultures. She thinks the vultures are after the camel until she sees that this is a birthing mother and the vultures are trying to get to her still unborn baby. When Shabanu examines the mother camel, she notices two holes that look like a snakebite. Shabanu realizes the mother is dying and she must get the baby out. She pulls on the front legs of the baby...