Copyright © Ambai, 2019

English language translation © Lakshmi Holmström, 2019

“Fish in a Dwindling Lake,” “The Calf that Frolicked in the Hall,” “A Thousand Words,” “One Life,” and “Journey 4” are reproduced with permission from Penguin Random House India © 2012.

“Journey 1,” “Parasakti and Others in a Plastic Box,” “In a Forest, a Deer,” “Wrestling,” “A Rat, A Sparrow,” “Journey 3,” “Forest,” and “A Movement, a Folder, Some Tears” are reproduced with permission of Oxford University Press India © Oxford University Press 2006.

“My Mother, Her Crime,” “Some Deaths,” “Yellow Fish,” “A Kitchen in the Corner of the House,” “Trisanku,” “Once Again,” “A Fable,” “River,” and “Wheelchair” appeared in A Purple Sea, published by EastWest Books (Madras) Pvt. Ltd. 1992.

First Archipelago Books Edition, 2019

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Archipelago Books

232 3rd Street #A111

Brooklyn, NY 11215

www.archipelagobooks.org

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request

www.penguinrandomhouse.com

Cover art: Arun Prem

Book Design: Zoe Guttenplan

This book was made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Archipelago Books also gratefully acknowledges the generous support from Aditi: Foundation for the Arts, Lannan Foundation, the Carl Lesnor Family Foundation, the Nimick Forbesway Foundation, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Ebook ISBN 9781939810458

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