The opening ship scenes: the cabin, the deck, the hold. The Captain and Boy, the Girl's arrival, and the first exchange between Girl and Woman.

The Woman introduces the Anansi spider, poses the first riddle, and tells the stories of Naming the Stories and Tricking Snake. The Girl begins to learn.

Bodies are thrown overboard, the second riddle points to the soul, and the Woman tells the Mancrow story: Soliday, Gran, and the six arrows. The Boy questions God.

The Captain destroys the Boy's diary. The Woman falls sick and is taken away. Between these events, Anansi outsmarts Tiger at the pool and Ratbat at Song City.

The auction at Kingston Harbour, the Girl's inner vow, the story of Her and the Calabash, and the final speech: 'Remember her.'