The titular motif of swallowing stones is introduced in Chapter 3, as Michael observes some girls at the pool and remembers a story about a local girl who drowned. In this story, the girl and her friend had been diving for stones to carry to the surface with their mouths, and “a small stone had lodged in the girl’s windpipe, choking her to death” (38). Michael recalls thinking “that if she had only swallowed the stone, maybe she would have lived, but she had probably panicked and inhaled it” (38). The story of the girl at the lake establishes the imagery of swallowing stones as a motif for The Consequences of Impulsive Actions.

Michael’s initial interpretation of this story and how he applies it to his situation is that he must continue to swallow stones to keep moving through the hard part of his guilt and shame. When his father offers him the car, Michael must lie about passing his driver’s exam, calling it “just another stone he had to swallow” (45). However, as Michael avoids accountability and evades the consequences of his actions, he finds that he has not saved himself any trouble.