Nectar in a Sieve

Selvam renounces farming—he cannot make crops yield. Instead of becoming a farmer, he will become an assistant under Kenny, who is opening a hospital. Rukmani visits Kenny and thanks him for giving Selvam the opportunity. Kenny is excited about opening a hospital and helping the impoverished people of the village. Rukmani counters that suffering strengthens the spirit.

Ira gives birth to a fair-skinned child. Nathan believes it is a bad omen because the child has white skin and pink eyes, and Ira does not know the father. For 10 days, people come to see the child they call unnatural until the family chooses to hold the naming ceremony, wherein they name the child Sacrabani. Old Granny gifts them a rupee for the child, and Kali arrives, declaring the child is wrong. Selvam steps in and reprimands Kali for her comments while he soothes Sacrabani. Though Rukmani worries for the child, she takes comfort in the fact that he acts like other children, even though he differs from his family.