Once again, Kim and the Lama have taken up their journey towards Benares. Kim has regained his good mood, but the Lama still isn’t speaking to him. Kim understands that there’s only one way to deter the priest from his silence. Kim tells him about the Lion of the Punjab, the heroic commander who leads the Army of the Pure and rules over the land of the Five Rivers – called this way since the five most important rivers in India spring forth from its mountains. Hearing Kim speak about rivers, the Lama’s curiosity is aroused and he asks for information about how to reach that region, where perhaps the River of the Arrow lies. Kim is pleased that the Lama is speaking to him once again and says he’s sorry for the trouble he caused back at the farm. He promises him that he’ll always speak the truth from now on, but admits that he’s also slightly disappointed. What kind of saint is the Lama since he isn’t even capable of performing a miracle? Hindu gurus can sit on nails and they even eat them, Sulima used to prepare healing herbs that treated high fever. Some fakirs are even capable of levitating. You should know how to do something if people are supposed to worship you. How on earth can the Lama not know how to do a thing? The Lama replies that by not reacting one can reach illumination. “But if one doesn’t react, he may well die of hunger!”, is Kim’s objection...