Haroun and the Sea of Stories: Chapter 12 Summary & Analysis

Haroun decides that he needs Witnesses to help him explain to the Walrus why his wish was necessary. Winding through the wild party, Haroun spots Iff dancing. Iff refuses to argue with the Walrus. Haroun, disappointed, heads for the second wedding party on the Lagoon. Mali is serenading an audience with another of his songs from Butt the Hoopoe's back, but pauses to tell Haroun that he can't help. Butt calls after Haroun that he can't help either since he's only a machine.

Haroun enters P2C2E House and watches the Eggheads moving about. He asks three Eggheads how to reach the Walrus' office. When he finally arrives at the door, he takes a breath and thinks that he finally got the interview he wanted, but not for the reason he thought, and knocks. The Walrus calls for him to come in. Upon entering, Haroun sees that the Walrus isn't alone. He's surrounded by King Chattergy, Prince Bolo, Princess Batcheat, Mudra, Blabbermouth, General Kitab, Iff, Mali, and Rashid, all smiling, and video monitors with the smiling faces of Goopy, Bagha, and Butt the Hoopoe. Haroun, perplexed, asks if he's in trouble or not, sending the entire room into a laughing fit.

The Walrus explains that this is their "little yolk," sending the room back into laughter. When the laughter subsides, the Walrus rises and tells Haroun that to honor him for the service he's done for Kahani and the Ocean, he's granting him the right to ask for any favor he desires. Haroun, silent, looks unhappy, and he finally says that he can't ask for anything because what he wants is something nobody can give him. The Walrus tells a belligerent Haroun that he wants a happy ending after his adventure, but Haroun says that his happy ending can't be found.

The Walrus sits and begins to explain that happy endings, both in stories and in life, are rare enough to be exceptions rather than rules, and because of their rarity, the Eggheads have learned how to synthesize them. Haroun protests that it's impossible to put happy endings in bottles, but seems uncertain. The Walrus notes that everything Haroun experienced has been quite impossible, and questions the wisdom of fussing over this impossible thing.

Haroun then boldly wishes for a happy ending for his adventure, as well as a happy ending for his sad city. The Walrus points out that happy endings have to come at the end of something, or all they do is fix things for a while. Haroun says that that will do.

It is then time for Haroun and Rashid to go home. Haroun has particular trouble saying goodbye to Blabbermouth, who takes matters into her own hands and kisses Haroun, who is quite pleased. At the edge of the Lagoon, Haroun, Rashid, and Iff board Butt and wave goodbye to everyone else. It occurs to Haroun that Rashid surely missed his appointment in the Valley of K, but Butt assures them that time is on their side. Arriving at the Dull Lake, it is night. Butt lands next to an open window of the “Arabian Nights Plus One” houseboat. Haroun and Rashid climb in and fall asleep immediately.

Haroun wakes to bright sunshine and finds Rashid sipping tea on a balcony, still in his nightshirt. He sees the swan boat coming at them across the lake, and Mr. Buttoo's yelling interrupts Rashid as Rashid begins to tell Haroun that he had a strange dream. Mr. Buttoo yells at Rashid that crowds are waiting and he can't be late.

Haroun realizes that his adventure on Kahani took place in less than one night, and he thinks of the Walrus telling him not to make a fuss over it. Haroun hurriedly asks Rashid if he can remember his dream, but Rashid brushes him off, greets Mr. Buttoo, and tells Haroun to get dressed, ignoring Haroun's continued urgings to remember his dream.

Returning to his room, Haroun notices an envelope on his pillow. Inside is a note from Blabbermouth, signed by her and all his other friends from Kahani. One line in the letter says to come whenever and stay as long as he'd like, and Haroun notices that there is also a tiny Hoopoe bird in the envelope.

The narrator reminds the reader that Mr. Buttoo expected Rashid to win the people's support for him by telling happy, praising stories. Mr. Buttoo had decorated the park with happy decorations and pro-Buttoo political posters, but Haroun notices that the large crowd is mostly scowling. Mr. Buttoo snaps at Rashid that he's on, and to be good or else.

Rashid takes the stage as Haroun watches from the side. Haroun is shocked when Rashid addresses the audience and tells them that the story he's going to tell them is called "Haroun and the Sea of Stories." Rashid winks at Haroun, and proceeds to tell the story that the reader has just been told. The audience is hooked and even sings along with Rashid when he sings Mali's songs. When Rashid talks about Khattam-Shud, the audience stares at Mr. Buttoo and his henchmen, who look very unhappy. After the fall of the two Khattam-Shuds in the story, the audience starts chanting for Mr. Buttoo to go, and he slinks away. Mr. Buttoo is never again seen in the Valley of K. True to his promise, Mr. Butt is at the bus depot to take Rashid and Haroun home.

When Haroun and Rashid arrive in the sad city, it's still pouring. Rashid happily suggests they walk home, making Haroun suspicious. They play in the downpour, and Haroun notices after a bit that the streets are full of people playing just as he and Rashid are. Haroun notes that the sadness factories are still producing sadness and everyone is still poor, but an old man yells at him to not sing those "tragedy songs" here. Haroun realizes that the happiness is the Walrus' doing, and he suddenly deflates. He tells Rashid that it's all fake, and that people should be happy when there's something to be happy about.

A policeman, floating by on an umbrella, interrupts and tells Haroun that there is something to be happy about—the city remembered its name, Kahani, which means "story."

Rashid is still overjoyed and Haroun is still in a dark mood as they turn onto their lane. Miss Oneeta comes onto her balcony to greet them and tells them that they're going to celebrate. She joins them in the street as Haroun demands what there is to celebrate, and Miss Oneeta lists her many good fortunes, including saying a final goodbye to Mr. Sengupta. When Haroun tells her that it's not all celebration for Rashid and him, Miss Oneeta suddenly becomes mysterious.

Soraya Khalifa opens the door to the apartment and Haroun and Rashid are frozen, staring at her. Soraya joins them in the rain and says that she made a mistake, but she's back now if they want her. Soraya continues and calls Mr. Sengupta sniveling, “mingy,” and weaselly, and says that he's done for. Haroun adds "khattam-shud." Rashid welcomes her home and they fall into a hug with Miss Oneeta.

When Haroun goes to bed that night, he holds the Hoopoe in his hand and tells it that with the way things are now, he doesn't need to go anywhere. Butt replies in a miniature voice, "but but but, no problem," and Haroun falls asleep. When he wakes he sees new clothes and a new clock. After a moment of confusion he remembers it's his birthday. He gets dressed and, looking at his clock, remarks that time is definitely moving again. In the living room, Soraya is singing.