Waiyaki’s reputation as “Teacher” grows, and an important meeting of the parents sending their children to the village school is quickly approaching. He is still concerned with being the one to unify the ridges, and he hopes his efforts on both fronts will impress Nyambura. On the day of the parents’ meeting, people are impressed with the facilities and with Waiyaki, but Kabonyi watches from a distance with resentment. He had hoped his son Kamau would have a leadership role and doesn’t understand why Waiyaki is so much more successful. As the meeting begins, the children sing songs Waiyaki learned at Siriana, songs that emphasize the students’ ardent desire for education. The songs speak of replacing “shields and spears” with “wits” and “the mind.” Kabonyi seeks a way to humiliate Waiyaki, who is making a positive impression on the crowd. 

Waiyaki begins to describe his ambitions for Marioshoni, highlighting the needs of the school for improved facilities and materials for the students. They need more schools and more teachers, and the parents are enthusiastically receptive to his plans. Kabonyi stands up, however, and challenges Waiyaki by shifting the focus to “the poverty of the land” and downplaying the necessity of “the white man’s education” in light of more urgent problems. He also encourages the people to be wary of Waiyaki because of his youth, and a few of the listeners seem to agree with Kabonyi. However, many still side with Waiyaki, particularly the other young people. As Waiyaki responds, he emphasizes how important it is to gain knowledge and in so doing forgets to focus on his goal to unify the tribe. The people are won over by Waiyaki, and Kabonyi leaves feeling weak and discouraged, leaning on his son. He lashes out at Kamau for not surpassing Waiyaki’s influence. The villagers, even elders, place their faith in Waiyaki, but he still feels guilty that he did not “preach reconciliation.”