Tyler explains that his intention in telling this story is to connect Mala with her kin. He explains that she is suspected of murder but was also found unfit to stand trial. She is sent to Paradise Alms House, a charity. She arrives in constraints, sedated by medication. Tyler is one of the only people who will treat the alleged murderer as a human being. He is rumored to be gay or queer somehow. Mala skillfully mimics the sound of nature when Tyler tries to communicate with her.
Tyler knows something about this woman from his grandmother who explained that her father was an Indian immigrant whose family was converted to Christianity by a reverend who adopted Chandin (Mala's father). Chandin loved the reverend's daughter but when he approaches her, she denies him and he pretends to love another local girl instead—another ethnic Indian, named Sarah. Chandin becomes a missionary with his father. His wife Sarah is revealed to be in a hidden affair with Lavinia, the reverend's daughter and Chandin's femme fatale. Chandin becomes a sexual deviant, raping and molesting his own children.
Mala intervenes on Pohpoh's behalf many times. Otoh eventually visits Mala in the hospital. We learn that Otoh's father Ambrose has become mysteriously sleepy. He sleeps all the time, sometimes for weeks on end, but he does awaken to make monthly care packages that are delivered to Mala in her insane state. One day, Mala sees Otoh in his father's clothing and believes the boy is his father. She excitedly shows him the body of her decaying father, whom she allegedly murdered, hoarding the body as it rots. Otoh spares her by burning her house down and destroying the evidence of her crime. In flashback, we learn that Ambrose (Otoh's father) was in love with Mala. Chandin severely rapes and abuses his daughter when he learns she has been with Ambrose. Tyler tries to reach Mala's sister so she can be taken care of, but to no avail.
