Chapter 37: Thirty-Five — Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Jama jumps into Ojwang's Land Rover, and they race back to the schoolyard. During the short drive, Jama pours out the story of the past few days: Mbegu and Momma being trampled, and the dead mother elephant. Ojwang introduces himself and places a hand on Jama's shoulder, saying, “We are going to take care of this.” Jama feels an immense relief at hearing the word we—for the first time, someone else wants to save Mbegu.
When they arrive, Ojwang leaps out and points his rifle at the crowd, ordering everyone to back away from the elephant. The people stumble back in fear but do not scatter; they remain watchful. Ojwang approaches Mbegu, grimacing briefly before regaining a serious expression. He tells Wamai, a KWS worker wearing a black bandana, to put down his tranquilizer and take the rifle instead. Ojwang then crouches beside Mbegu, feels for her heartbeat, and whispers something to her. Her eyes flicker open.
With astonishing care, Ojwang slips his arm under both of Mbegu's armpits and helps her stand on trembling legs. He directs Jama to open the school's navy blue front door. Jama rushes over, finds it unlocked, and opens it. Ojwang coaxes Mbegu step by step into the classroom, and Jama follows, slamming the door shut and locking it. He barricades it with a chair for extra safety. Jama excitedly notes that Mbegu is standing, but at that moment her knees buckle and she collapses like a rag doll.
Jama asks if she is dead. Ojwang says no, but she will die if they don't get the DSWT in immediately. Before Jama can ask what that means, a rock clatters against the door, followed by the sharp airburst of a tranquilizer dart leaving a barrel—a sound distinctly different from when Shaba was shot. A man hollers in shock, then a thump. Jama winces, flashing back to Shaba falling heavily to the ground. He eyes the barricaded door, hoping it holds.
Ojwang pulls out a flip phone, dials quickly, speaks in rushed tones, and snaps the phone shut. He tells Jama that the DSWT—the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a hospital and nursery for orphaned elephants—is on its way. A team is flying in from Nairobi, about forty-five minutes away. Ojwang rests a hand on Mbegu's chest and reports that her heartbeat is slow but within safe range, seemingly talking more to himself than to Jama. He says they have no other options; only the DSWT can save her.
Key Events
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Jama and Ojwang drive back to the schoolyard, with Jama recounting the trampling and the dead mother elephant.
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Ojwang introduces himself and reassures Jama that they will handle the situation together.
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At the scene, Ojwang orders the crowd back with his rifle; they retreat but remain.
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Ojwang instructs Wamai to swap his tranquilizer for the rifle.
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Ojwang checks Mbegu's heartbeat, whispers to her, and her eyes open.
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Ojwang helps Mbegu stand and guides her into the school building.
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Jama locks the door and barricades it with a chair.
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Mbegu collapses; Ojwang says she will die without the DSWT.
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A rock hits the door, and a tranquilizer dart is fired, causing a man to cry out.
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Ojwang calls the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which sends a team from Nairobi (about 45 minutes away).
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Ojwang reports Mbegu's heartbeat is slow but within safe range.
Character Development
Jama experiences a profound shift in this chapter. His relief at hearing Ojwang say “we” reveals his deep isolation and desperation. He has been carrying the burden of saving Mbegu alone, and the arrival of a partner gives him hope. His actions—unlocking the door, barricading it, and watching Mbegu collapse—show his growing maturity and his willingness to trust an adult. The flashback to Shaba's shooting underscores his trauma and his fear that Mbegu might suffer the same fate.
Ojwang emerges as a capable and compassionate authority figure. He takes command immediately, using his rifle to control the crowd but also showing tenderness when he whispers to Mbegu and helps her stand. His decision to hand his rifle to Wamai while he tends to the elephant demonstrates trust and prioritization of the animal's well-being. His calm under pressure—checking her heartbeat, making the call, and estimating arrival time—contrasts with Jama's anxiety, making him a stabilizing presence.
Mbegu is vulnerable and dependent, yet she responds to Ojwang's voice and touch, indicating a bond of trust. Her collapse after standing highlights the severity of her injuries and the urgency of the rescue.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Partnership and Trust: The chapter centers on the formation of a partnership between Jama and Ojwang. Jama's relief at hearing “we” emphasizes the theme that rescue efforts are stronger when shared. Ojwang's trust in Wamai (handing over the rifle) and Mbegu's trust in Ojwang (following him into the school) reinforce this motif.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: The crowd's hostility toward Mbegu, the rock thrown at the door, and the tranquilizer dart fired by an unknown person illustrate the ongoing conflict between humans and elephants. Ojwang's intervention represents a counterforce of conservation and protection.
Hope vs. Despair: The chapter oscillates between hope (Mbegu standing, the DSWT being called) and despair (her collapse, the attack on the door). The countdown of forty-five minutes creates a sense of time pressure, symbolizing the fragile line between life and death.
Vulnerability and Barricade: The barricaded door symbolizes the precarious safety of the characters. They are protected from the crowd but trapped with a dying elephant. The barricade also reflects the broader theme of isolation in the face of danger.
Flashback: Jama's flashback to Shaba's shooting serves as a motif of past trauma, linking the current crisis to earlier violence and deepening the emotional stakes.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is pivotal because it introduces the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a real organization known for rescuing orphaned elephants, and sets up the possibility of a successful rescue. It also solidifies the partnership between Jama and Ojwang, shifting the narrative from a lone boy's struggle to a coordinated effort. The chapter raises the stakes by placing Mbegu in a precarious physical state and introducing external threats (the crowd, the dart). It also deepens Jama's character by showing his reliance on others and his traumatic memories. The countdown to the DSWT's arrival creates suspense and underscores the theme of hope against time.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Jama feel relieved when Ojwang says “we”?
Jama has been trying to save Mbegu on his own, feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Hearing “we” gives him a sense of partnership and shared responsibility, which alleviates his burden and gives him hope that the rescue might succeed.
2. What does Ojwang's decision to hand his rifle to Wamai reveal about his character?
It shows that Ojwang prioritizes the elephant's care over his own protection. By trusting Wamai with the rifle, he signals that the immediate threat is the crowd, but his focus is on Mbegu. It also demonstrates his ability to delegate and his confidence in his team.
3. How does the flashback to Shaba affect Jama's perception of the tranquilizer dart sound?
The sound of the dart triggers a vivid memory of Shaba being shot and falling heavily. This flashback intensifies Jama's fear and anxiety, making him acutely aware of the danger they are in. It also connects the current situation to past trauma, heightening the emotional tension.