Cry, the Beloved Country

Kumalo prays every day for rain to restore the land. He tells the chief that he believes they should care for the land so young people stop leaving Ndotsheni. He reminds the chief that the cattle are dying and there is no milk, so children are now sick and dying. The chief tells Kumalo that he will speak to the magistrate about it. Kumalo goes back to his house, hears a horse, and sees a young white boy riding. The boy asks to see his house and then requests milk, but Kumalo says there is no milk in Ndotsheni, so he gives him water. The boy practices his Zulu with Kumalo and lifts his spirits. He asks Kumalo why the village has no milk, and Kumalo says it is because they are poor. The boy asks what the children do without milk, and Kumalo says they are dying. The boy rides away.

That night, one of Kumalo’s friends knocks on his door and asks if James’s grandson visited him. The man says the boy spoke to James about the dying children, and James sent milk for Kumalo to share. The man brings milk into Kumalo’s house and Kumalo laughs out of joy.

Kumalo receives letters from Johannesburg. He opens the first letter from Mr. Carmichael, who writes that Absalom will be executed on the 15^th of the month. In Absalom’s letter, he notes he will never see his parents or Ndotsheni again. He has many books to read and relaxes in his cell all day. A priest visits him and gives him comfort. Kumalo finishes reading the letter and goes outside. He sees the magistrate on the road with James. The magistrate speaks with James while other white men get out of a car with sticks and flags. The men put the sticks and flags in the ground at various locations and take pictures. Kumalo watches with confusion as the magistrate tells the chief to ensure no one moves the sticks until they return.

After the magistrate and other men leave, a storm comes and Kumalo watches the rain from his porch. James asks Kumalo if he can wait out the storm in his church. Kumalo takes him into the church, and they sit in silence until the rain stops. James asks Kumalo if there will be mercy for Absalom. Kumalo hands James the letter he received that morning. James tells Kumalo that on the fifteenth day, he will think of Absalom.

The magistrate and other men do not return for the sticks. There are rumors that they want to build a dam, but no one knows for certain. A few days later, James’s grandson visits Kumalo. He asks to practice Zulu again. Kumalo teaches the boy some new words and phrases, and then the boy goes home. Later, Kumalo sees a man standing outside of the church. The man introduces himself as Napoleon Letsitsi. He tells Kumalo that he is the new agricultural demonstrator hired by James to teach the village how to farm. He says they will build a dam to water the fields with, which will come from the river on James’s land. Kumalo hears a horse and meets James’s grandson again. The boy tells him that he is leaving for Johannesburg in the morning, and thanks Kumalo for the Zulu lessons. He tells Kumalo that he will be back for the holidays, and Kumalo says he will teach him more Zulu then.

One morning, the man who delivers milk comes early and tells Kumalo that Margaret died. Kumalo writes a letter to James, expressing his grief over Margaret and how everyone in the village knows she was also responsible for everything the Jarvises have done for them. He gives the letter to a child to deliver to the Jarvises’ house. Later, the bishop tells him that he believes it is time to move out of Ndotsheni because of Absalom’s crime. The child who took Kumalo’s letter knocks on the door and delivers James’s reply. In the letter, James thanks Kumalo and tells him that Margaret was influential in sending milk and arranging for the renewal of the valley. Kumalo shows the letter to the bishop and tells him that it is a sign from God. The bishop realizes there is no ill will between James and Kumalo, and agrees to let Kumalo stay in Ndotsheni. When Kumalo returns to his house, he sees that his wife and Absalom’s wife, and many other women, have made a wreath for James.

The people of Ndotsheni slowly learn to farm from the demonstrator Letsitsi. Kumalo encourages Letsitsi, already seeing a difference in the valley. Letsitsi tells him not to get too excited because it will take years before they see real change. He wants a dam built for pastures, so the village will no longer need white men’s milk. This statement surprises Kumalo, and he asks Letsitsi, “Where would we be without all that this white man has done for us?” (301). Letsitsi thinks James is a good man, but reframes his gifts as repayment from colonizers. He reminds Kumalo that the restoration of the valley will not ensure the restoration of the tribe. Kumalo knows the truth, but believes he is too old for a young man’s thoughts.

On the 14^th of the month, Kumalo goes up a mountain to hold a vigil for Absalom. He asks his wife to come with him, but she decides to stay with Absalom’s wife because her baby is due soon. On the way up the mountain, he meets James. He tells Kumalo that he is moving to Johannesburg to be with his daughter-in-law and grandchildren. He asks Kumalo where he is going so late, and Kumalo reveals he is holding a vigil. Kumalo cries because James understands his pain. He tells James not to leave for Johannesburg until he thanks him for all he has done. James says he is “no saintly man,” but Kumalo says God worked through him anyway (308). James leaves, and Kumalo continues up the mountain until he finds a place to sit. He prays for his son, and thanks God for Msimangu, Father Vincent, and Mrs. Lithebe. He wonders why sorrowful things happen to people like him or James. Kumalo thinks about Africa and hopes for its restoration, although he knows he will not be alive to see it.

Kumalo falls asleep, then wakes up and checks his watch, but realizes he still has an hour before Absalom’s execution. He wonders if Absalom is quiet or crying, and if Msimangu or Father Vincent is with him. He prays and watches the sun rise in the east. As the time approaches, Kumalo puts his hat on the ground and stands up as the sun slowly rises.