Kim: Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

Kim dictates a letter to the lama begging him to meet him in Lucknow. Colonel Creighton confronts Kim, asking him to bring him his “cheroot-case” to his house that evening. Kim inquires after the Colonel, and the letter-writer tells him he is widely known as a fool, particularly in his purchasing of horses. Reflecting on his knowledge of the Colonel, such as Mahbub’s respect for him and his relationship with the Commander-in-Chief, Kim disagrees, reasoning that he is likely the person whom Mahbub spies for. Pleased with himself for not betraying his knowledge of the Colonel’s house—which he had been to before—Kim reflects positively on the Colonel, seeing him as a clever man “after his own heart.”

Several days later, Father Victor brings Kim to the train station, expressing hope that St. Xavier turns him into a “white man.” On the train, Kim reflects for the first time on the nature of his identity, asking himself: “Who is Kim?” The Colonel sends for him and reveals Kim is to become a chain-man, a position which, the more they talk, gradually becomes clearer to Kim: Creighton will employ him much as Mahbub did. Creighton tells Kim that, though white, he should never look down on black men, claiming there is “no sin as great as ignorance.” Creighton drops Kim in Lucknow, and Kim, convincing the driver to drive him around, revels in the beauty and liveliness of the city.

Kim spots the lama along a wall and the two reconnect. The lama tells of his travels with the widow, criticizing her incessant talking, and his eventual arrival at the Tirthankars’ Temple, where he now resides. The lama clarifies that he is only in Lucknow to ensure his money is well-spent, not out of affection for Kim. Kim tells the lama he has no friend “but thee,” begging him not to go away. The lama tells Kim not to weep, explaining that “Desire is Illusion.” Still, he is touched by Kim’s expression of love, and promises to return.

The narrator summarizes Kim’s experiences at St. Xavier’s, describing his friendships with the other boys and his acclimatization to his sahib identity. There, Kim learns to write and do math, new skills which he revels in. When the school holiday begins in August, however, and Kim is instructed to go to a barrack school, he disguises himself as a Hindi—with the help of a bazaar girl—and escapes, intending to visit the daughter of a schoolmaster. Colonel Creighton relates Kim’s disappearance to Mahbub who laughs it off, explaining that Kim has simply gone back to the road. As evidence, Mahbub shares Kim’s letter to him with Creighton, a letter which coyly asks Mahbub to avert Creighton’s anger.

Colonel Creighton wonders whether it is wise for Kim to go off alone, but Mahbub points out he will have to when he joins the “Great Game.” Creighton is unsure, but Mahbub reassures him Kim will show up in a month’s time. This prediction proves true, and a month later Kim meets Mahbub on the Kalka road outside Umballa. Kim recounts his experiences during his time off, including a near-death experience with fireworks, and asks if Creighton has forgiven him. Mahbub says yes but scolds him for taking off. Kim, however, jokes that his vacation was much needed, having already become too much of a sahib. Kim agrees to travel with Mahbub to Umballa.