The Hungry Tide: Part 1: Travels Summary & Analysis

Kanai eats his lunch and then returns to Nirmal's study. He opens the notebook and begins to read. Nirmal explains that Kanai was one of the last people to see Kusum in 1970; she disappeared without a trace. As Nirmal's retirement approaches, he begins to think of how much life he wasted. He admits that he lied to Nilima—he's written nothing in the thirty years they've been in Lusibari and has also read very little. He's filled with regret and remorse.

Other schools invite Nirmal to visit, and he accepts an invitation in Kumirmari. He misses his ferry for the long journey, but soon spots Horen and asks him to take him to Kumirmari. As they travel, Nirmal reads aloud from a book about the tide country by a Christian priest. The priest and his party first see a rainbow made by the moon. At this, Horen blurts that they must have been at Gerafitola, as he's seen the moon's rainbow there. Nirmal is dismissive and resumes reading. The party comes across Portuguese making salt, and again Horen adds where the priest must've been to see such a sight.

The next night, the party is treated to an amazing sight as glowworms light up the mangroves. They wonder if they're seeing "devils," and Horen is perplexed that they'd question it at all—he believes the sight is clearly the work of devils. Finally, the party is hit by a storm that came out of nowhere. Horen cries that they must have crossed "the line" into Dokkhin Rai's territory. Nirmal snaps that that's nonsense, and Horen suggests they agree to disagree. Nirmal addresses Kanai directly again to explain that he's sitting with young Fokir, while Horen and Kusum are out trying to discover if Morichjhãpi will actually be attacked.