Summary

In Chapter 16, Poonachi becomes pregnant, and the old woman begins to bring her many new plants to eat. The couple sells Kaduvayan and Peethan. The couple also begins to bottle and sell milk from Semmi, even though Oothan still suckles from her. Poonachi eventually becomes too tired in her pregnancy to graze with the others, and stays with the old woman all day. The old man and the old woman argue about Poonachi’s true origin. One night, Poonachi begins to cry out as she goes into labor. The old woman tells to old man to go fetch the local midwife, and many locals begin to gather at the house.

In Chapter 17, Poonachi births four kids with the help of the midwife (who is a man). She begins to lick them, as if the birthing was done, but the midwife looks inside and...