The Turtle of Oman

Aref’s notes from the boat trip make up the entirety of the chapter. He says that he caught two fish and that Sidi needed to take medicine to settle his stomach.

In the afternoon, Sidi and Aref watch a movie about penguins. Then they take a nap so that they can stay up late that night. As he falls asleep, Aref thinks about how important Sidi is to him. Both Aref and Sidi awaken after an hour, having dreamt of the boat. Sidi gives Aref some coins and stamps to take to the US. That night, they go up onto the roof to watch the moon rise. They see a plane take off. Sidi promises to come home after he drops Aref off at the airport and watch their plane take off. He tells Aref to look down at the land when his plane takes to the air. Back in the house, they start a puzzle, even though they know they won’t finish it. Sidi explains that puzzles are about patience. They also play dominos and share stories, and Sidi asks Aref if he would like to sleep on the roof.

Aref and Sidi take their bedrolls onto the roof. Sidi says that he has the city lights memorized like a map, and that Aref can too. Aref comments that the sky is so large, and Sidi replies that he is “falling into it. Are you?” (271). They lose themselves in the sky and the stars. Sidi notes that he will always feel like a little boy, and Aref also feels like there are ways in which he is older than Sidi. They each fall asleep and then wake in the middle of the night. Sidi says that he’ll miss Aref. The boy appreciates that it is unusual for Sidi to express a thought that isn’t happy.

When Aref returns home, a family comes over to say goodbye, but several of their children are sick. Aref’s mom worries that the disease is contagious, and while Aref didn’t want to get a cold, he likes the word “contagious” (275). He thinks of other things that can be contagious, like complaining or a song. He also considers the idea that sharing things with people might make a difference in their lives. He remembers that soccer players tell themselves that they can win and that they are brave. He decides to make some room for bravery in his heart.

He writes three items in his notebook: that the family who visited was sick, that sleeping on the roof is “really the best thing” (277-278), and that his mom only has one meeting left. Aref’s father has emailed, telling them about their new neighborhood. He notes that perhaps they can get a cat from the Humane Society. Aref replies that this is a good idea. People keep visiting or calling to say goodbye and wish them well. They have two days left in Muscat.

Sidi comes over with warm pita bread. Aref’s mom asks him to help Aref pack. They go through each item of clothing. Aref asks Sidi to tell him some of his favorite stories, but Sidi says that Aref will carry the stories in his pillow. Sidi suggests that Aref write a welcome note for his cousins, so he does. Aref asks them to take good care of the cat. He also tells them to have fun and to email him. He tapes the note inside the closet. They get ready to go downstairs to eat their favorite dessert, rice pudding.

Before dessert, Sidi writes Aref a note and puts it in his suitcase. Aref goes to look at it, but Sidi stops him, saying that he can’t open it until he arrives in the US. This note, he says, “is the rule of Muscat” (291). Sidi puts some stones in the pocket along with the note.

Aref and Sidi sit on the back patio. It is the night before Aref and his mother are set to leave. Sidi comments that “[l]ove is a strange animal” (293), and Aref doesn’t know what he means. Sidi then compares love to a butterfly because of how surprising they are. Aref’s mother also loves butterflies, and Aref has learned many things about butterflies, including the fact that they have their own schedules, and that there are 54 species of butterflies in Oman.

Aref asks if there will be butterflies in Michigan, and Sidi confirms this. They talk about the week and how busy they’ve been, just like butterflies “fluttering around” (296). Aref adds that butterflies might appear weak, but they travel hundreds of miles. Like turtles and cranes, they migrate. Sidi replies that this seems to be a common event. Sidi says that love is a combination of all animals. Aref looks out over the lights of Muscat. He plans to keep Sidi’s note under a stone on his windowsill in Michigan. The note, he will learn, is a reminder that everything he loves about Oman is buried on their beach, and the turtle eggs will hatch soon. Aref gets up, goes into the kitchen, and tells his mother that he is packed.