Book 6 Summary

Azaro started feeling better and getting his strength back. He spent much of his time sitting in a tree, where he had an excellent vantage point overlooking both the blind man's home and Madame Koto's bar. The bar had electricity now and cars would stop by often. Madame Koto saw Azaro and told him to come down. Azaro refused. After she went away, he went back home. Azaro's father was practice boxing by hitting a bag full of rags on the wall. He switched to shadow boxing after the neighbor complained about the noise. Azaro's father became obsessed, jabbing at anything he could find: the close line, his shadow, even mosquitoes. His appetite grew immensely and Azaro and his mother had to eat less. She commented sadly to Azaro, "poverty is driving him mad."

Azaro's father wrapped his hands in cloth and punched...