Birdie and her father go into town to trade one of their cows for a mule that can replace Semina. Mr. Boyer trades his cow and pays a gold coin for a good mule. Birdie names the mule Kissimmee and worries that the Slaters will poison her. Essie and Zephy see the mule and Birdie lectures them not to tell anyone else, including their family, about the new mule. Essie and Zephy invite the Boyers to their house for a chicken pilau, which is a type of cookout. The Boyers are confused and surprised that they’ve been invited, given the tension between the two families. The little girls explain that their father got drunk, shot all their mother’s chickens in the head, and ran off. With him gone and the chickens in need of eating before they rot, the chicken pilau is Mrs. Slater’s way of reaching out to the community.

Mrs. Slater is so grateful for Mrs. Boyer’s help and kindness that she cries in her arms. Mrs. Slater expresses her desire to get more involved with religion.