Born Behind Bars

Kabir asks Bedi Ma’am if she thinks he can figure out a way to free Amma, and she says, “Why not?” She wants him to believe in his potential to do anything he sets his mind to if he continues working and studying hard. Bedi Ma’am gives the butterfly to Kabir. Malli is no longer mad and is now sad, asking Kabir whether they’ll ever see each other again. He repeats Bedi Ma’am’s answer, “Why not?” He then gives the butterfly to Malli because to him, that’s the most meaningful thing to do with it.

Their last night in the cell together, Amma holds Kabir in her lap and sings a lullaby: “Moon, moon, come running to me…climb over the mountain and bring a jasmine flower” (55). Kabir doesn’t understand what the words mean and feels helpless. In the morning, Amma says she’ll be happy every day when she thinks about Kabir free and out in the world. Mouse Girl advises him to stay away from police. Grandma Knife promises to look after Amma and instructs Kabir to look after himself. Amma tells him not to look back, but he does, and she has collapsed to the ground.