Chapters 4-5 Summary

Rainy Season; Sub Tropics begins with three poems regarding wildlife in the rain. The first is a Giant Toad who is full of self pity because of his size and lack of a pleasant façade. The toad seeks to avoid the rain but misjudges the height of a tree branch. A ledge provides cover and the toad holds its breath while the giant snail goes by. Then the toad lets out an echoing, angelic cry. The toad remembers another day when it was hard to breath. Two boys captured the giant toad and stuck a lit cigarette in his mouth. The poor toad was ill for days. The toad speaks of his big shoulders and how they are filled with poison. The crab should beware.

The Strayed Crab is wondering how he got so far from the water, so far...