A boy watches his sister, Ikky, walk out onto the tar pit to her own execution, following the Chieftan's orders. She must stand there all day, letting the tar slowly envelop her. It is eventually revealed that this is punishment for killing her husband. Led by "Mumma," the whole family follows Ikky onto the tar, sitting on mats, and singing her to her death — it almost feels like a party. Ikky asks why Auntie Mai hasn't come to say goodbye, and Mumma says she is too hurt. The boy experiences a range of emotions as he processes what is happening to his sister and his family. Eventually he convinces Aunite Mai to come see Ikky off, saying, "I felt cross and frightened and too grown-up for Mai’s silliness." Finally, Ikky is swallowed by the tar, and the boy's grown-up feelings dissipate as his mother carries him away.