Through the Arc of the Rain Forest

Mané rushes to the Matacão to meet Chico Paco, elated by the opportunity, “to greet the young man who was called an angel but was like another son to him” (100). On the smooth surface of the Matacão, Mané also talks to Batista. They share their knowledge about feathers and birds. Impressed with each other, they agree that to get the most out of a feather, the right type of feather needs the right type of person. Mané leaves, summoned to give a lecture. Alone, Batista realizes his work and the contract with the Pomba Soap Company will keep him from returning home for months.

Chico reflects on the warm reception he received by numerous villages on his trip back to the Matacão, and is grateful for the kindness. Now back at the Matacão, he stays with Mané and feels stunned when Kazumasa sends him a letter of thanks, which includes a good deal of money. Chico consults Mané. Chico never wanted money, seeking only to fulfill his Godly purpose. Mané gives Chico a feather to help the young man think. Chico contemplates, considers his faith in God, and feels “If he were indeed a chosen angel—and all of these letters and requests seemed proof in themselves—he must take on these God-given responsibilities and invest these gifts for God” (105). Chico decides he will use his voice and money to start a radio station.

As the feather marketing campaign ramps up, Mané keeps to a busy schedule. He travels and gives interviews and is photographed incessantly. He’s frustrated that more of his time can’t be spent on research and education, which J.B. initially said was paramount. His wife Angustia, too, misses the old days when Mané was more reachable. Mané realizes he is now more drawn to extravagant feathers and sees it as a sign that something inside of him is changing significantly. 

J.B. falls in love with Michelle, the French bird expert. Michelle comes from a long line of bird enthusiasts and her overqualified-nature perfectly aligns with J.B.’s personality. Michelle also has a third breast, truly making them a perfect match. They are passionate and excited by one another, to which J.B. remarks “‘I never knew life could be like this’” (109). Michelle moves in with J.B., along with her sizable collection of rare and exotic birds.

J.B. worries his profile at GGG has become too pronounced and noticeable and “He did not want to know that he might have, in fact, maneuvered himself to a height from which one could easily be kicked off” (110). J.B. has always admired powerful people who stay out of the limelight. He plans to demote himself, but Michelle retorts that will only bring more attention to him.

Batista meets J.B. and Michelle at one of Hiroshi’s karaoke bars near the Matacão—officially called Hiro’s Karaoke. The quality of Batista’s bird feed impresses Michelle, and the two exchange pleasantries. Batista laments not being home in São Paulo but recognizes his wife’s hard work. Their pigeon messengers have transformed into a legitimate business, called Djapan Enterprises. Batista admits, “He had [Tania] to thank for making Djapan Enterprises a real business” (112). Missing his wife and home, Batista approaches the microphone and sings a song for the patrons of Hiro’s Karaoke. 

Chico Paco starts Radio Chico and a flagship radio show, “Answered Prayers” (113). He receives messages from those needing help, but he also finds other people like himself, who walk to fulfill prayers. Their numbers grow, forming a new collective. They’re warmly accepted by many: “Everywhere, people were proclaiming the new church on the radio waves, the living angels marching toward the Matacão and the growth of a new and popular faith based on the renewed belief in prayer itself” (114). The group is dubbed the New Disciples, with Chico as their leader.

Elsewhere, Lourdes listens intently to Chico’s new station. She even calls in during a sweepstakes and wins a bus ticket to visit the Matacão. She looks forward to going and seeing Kazumasa, whom she misses dearly. Kazumasa, however, is being covertly sent around the world to track down more Matacão plastic. When Lourdes arrives, Kazumasa isn’t there. She consults Chico Paco, who doesn’t know where Kazumasa is either. The two decide to use Chico’s radio show and Batista’s messenger pigeons to find Kazumasa. Viewers call in to donate and send prayer messages via pigeon to help as well.

Chico gets a phone call from, Gilberto. Gilberto’s grandmother has died. Overcome with emotion, Chico cries: “not so much for the old woman, who was after all very old, but for the memory of his friendship and the strange empty place in his heart which could only be filled by his dreams” (118). Gilberto and Chico’s mother want to come visit. It has been two years since they all last saw one another. Chico loves the idea of seeing them again. 

After a perilous and long journey from the Matacão, Batista’s pigeons arrive back home in São Paulo. The pigeons receive recognition in the paper, making Batista happy, but at the same time, he misses Tania. Rubens’s bird, too, makes it back to São Paulo.

One of Batista’s pigeons travels to the New York offices of GGG carrying the message “Feather” (119). J.B. calls and thanks Batista, believing the pigeon’s arrival to be a marketing strategy. Batista admits the pigeon simply got confused and flew in the wrong direction. Nevertheless, global interest in feathers and pigeon messages skyrockets. Companies from around the world call Batista with offers, wishing to wine and dine him, overwhelming him. He takes little interest, his passion is in caring for his birds.

Tania, on the other hand, seizes the opportunity. She travels across Brazil and then outside the country, establishing a chain of Djapan Pigeon Communication posts. Tania surprises Batista with a pigeon communication line for the two of them, but it is not enough to quell Batista’s jealously and sadness. Batista cries to his wife. He’s been in the Matacão, and away from her, for nearly a year. Tania misses him, too, and she insists the absence is temporary.