Chapters IV-VI Summary and Analysis

Valentino reflects on his life in his hometown of Marial Bai in Southern Sudan. His father has five wives and Valentino's mother is his first wife. Valentino describes his mother as 6 ft tall, but as thin as any woman and as strong as any man. His two best friends are Moses and William K. Valentino describes Moses as strong and William K as a great storyteller but prone to lying. Valentino tells a story of the time the three boys first saw a bicycle. They were so impressed, they offered to guard it through the night. Valentino continues to describe his relationship with an older girl named Amath. As a young boy, Valentino was completely enamored with her. One day, she asks him to fetch her some water. Valentino sprints off as fast as he can and goes to...