Now, the mule is treated like any other citizen of the town, but eventually, he dies. Janie asks Jody if she can go with him to the burial, but Jody says no. He doesn't want Janie doing the kinds of things that normal people do. The funeral is held for the mule. Joe and other town members make fun of the mule and Matt Bonner.
Birds climb onto the mule and begin to eat the carcass.
Jody comes back to the store and he and Janie have a little argument about people liking to have fun. The porch sitters get into a debate about what prevents people from touching hot stoves, nature or caution. The argument is never finished. There is an argument over the infamous Bog John de Conquer, a super-human type of man known for eating Pharaohs' tombstones and never taking a whipping. A couple of pretty girls come walking by and they catch the attention of all of the men.