Hamid sometimes goes to the storeroom during the day. When Yusuf sees him there, Hamid asks himself many questions in a rather depressive tone. He makes a mock argument with an imaginary Hussein about doing right for oneself. He ties his self-defense into the concept of Ramadhan and how in the month of fasting they distinguish themselves from “savages” through their denial of food, water, and other pleasures. In his moment of piousness, he points out that he hasn’t seen Yusuf read the Koran and decides they should read together. When Hamid comes to read with him, Yusuf admits that he cannot read. He recalls that his mother taught him the alphabet and the first three suras, but his school didn’t really teach him anything, even though he was a good student. Khalil taught him numbers, but not to actually read, and, at the mosque, he just mumbled along. Hamid and Maimuna interrogate Yusuf about this admission, and their show of horror annoys him. 

Hamid and Maimuna send Yusuf to the Koran school with their children, where he is the oldest student. However, the imam who teaches takes kindly to Yusuf and shows him favor by sending him on errands and having him assist him.