Homeseeking

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, racism, illness, and cursing.

Soukei (Suchi) is at the zoo with her son, Samson, who is five years old. He is upset because the elephant, Tino, is sick, and he worries that the elephant will die like his bunny rabbit, Bunbun, recently did. Soukei attempts to reassure her son, and they get vegetables to feed the elephant. However, the elephant refuses the food that the girls in front of them offer. When the girls begin to throw popcorn at the animal, the elephant knocks one of the girls down with its trunk, and the keepers lead it away. This prompts Soukei and Samson to talk about how to deal with bullies.

When Soukei gets home, she tells her sister, Sulan, who lives with her, about her concerns that people are bullying Samson at school. Samson tells Sulan about the elephant. Sulan advises Samson that it is important to stand up to bullies. Then, she gives Samson a stuffed rabbit that she made at her job as a tailor’s assistant.

Later, Saikeung, Soukei’s husband, comes home. He begins to berate Soukei for taking Samson to the zoo instead of school. Samson tells Saikeung to stop being mean to Soukei.