Introduction Part Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Introduction Part - Essay Example Over the last two decades, the different rating agencies have focussed on developing innovative methodologies for evaluation of social performance of the companies. The evaluation is important as the non-financial performance of the companies like corporate social responsibility reflects the strategic policies of the company gives an insight of the future course of action and business of the companies. Undertaking corporate social responsibility leads to spread of information in the market that the company is looking to maintain a stable environment and reduce the damages caused to the society as an effect of its operations. Thus the information flow to the market gives an understanding of the long term plans and sustainability of the companies. As a result of this flow of information, the decision of the market investors, suppliers, creditors, customers would vary in terms of entering into a relationship with the company. The activities of corporate social responsibility also pass t he information on the profitability, retained earnings, capability to engage in non-financial performance. ... All these information and subsequent effects in investment decisions of the stakeholders create an impact of the prices of stocks and shares of the companies (Celliera and Chollet, 2010, p.1). The stock prices would fluctuate in anticipation of good financial health and sustainability of the companies in long run which would be interpreted from the information derived out of their social performance. Thus the stock prices of the companies carry an important relationship with the company’s social responsibility. Rational for the research The announcements and disclosure of corporate social responsibility has shown a proportional impact on the stock prices of the companies over the years. The degree of social performance delivered by the companies could be understood from the ratings on corporate social responsibility. The rational of this research is to find significance of corporate social responsibility by interpreting the effects of CSR ratings on the stock prices of the com panies. A company rated highly on its social performance would give rise to investor reactions and these reactions would influence the investment decisions. Through research, the change in prices of the stock could be compared to the change in responsibility on social actions performed by the companies. The effect on stock prices could be determined to check whether the changes in stock price are directly proportional to the increase or decrease in social performance. Social performance may also be viewed by some sections of the investor as not contributing to maximization of their financial wealth in the long run. The research would also serve to provide an understanding as to what percentage of investors

Humana Insurance Hispanic Market Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Humana Insurance Hispanic Market - Essay Example Speaking of various backgrounds, Humana is also servicing the individuals or customers from varied ethnic backgrounds including the Hispanics. With Hispanics constituting a sizable portion of the population in US, organizations operating in various sectors including the ones in the Insurance sector like Humana are giving extra focus to this section of the population. Although, Humana is carrying out customer friendly strategies in regards to Hispanics, specifically the strategy of localization or customization, when viewed in an overall manner, it is not doing it effectively, and so if it can optimize or improve that strategy, it can give Humana the competitive advantage in relation to the Hispanics Market. According to US Census Bureau, more than 50 million Hispanics currently live in the United States, comprising about 17 percent of the total U.S. population. (Black, 2013). Although, Hispanics are a varied ethnic population, differing in the aspects of country of origin, race, etc., they speak the common language of Spanish. Their population is on the rise and that is making impacts on the health sector as well. â€Å"They are the fastest growing racial or ethnic population in the United States today and are expected to comprise approximately 30 percent of the total US population by 2050.† (Black, 2013). Despite witnessing fast growing rates, the Hispanics continue to face discrepancies regarding health coverage as well as care, thereby making them â€Å"the highest uninsured rate among racial/ethnic groups, with nearly one in three lacking coverage† (Black, 2013). These facts about the Hispanics, apart from reflecting how they are not completely covered under insurance , also brings out the key point of how they are a strong prospective customer base for the insurance companies including Humana. In that direction, Humana has

Role of Students Essay Example for Free

Role of Students Essay Students constitute a vast segment of India’s population. They are young and dynamic. They can play a major role in various developmental activities going on in the country. This can come about only if their energies are channelised properly. During the freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru and other political leaders gave a lead to the students. The result was that students joined the struggle for Independence in large numbers. India became Independent on 15th August, 1947. It seems that after India achieved Independence, students were left with no worth-while aim. Students have been indulging in acts of indiscipline and rowdyism in different universities, colleges and schools. This shows that the student-power is being misused for destructive purposes. In fact, students lack proper guidance and good leadership. There is no one to tell them how they should use their energies for constructive purposes. Students played a crucial role during the pre-Independence era under the able leadership of leaders and there is no reason why they cannot play the same role in the post-Independence era for the betterment of the country and its people Every university, college and school is in the grip of student indiscipline. Students hold rallies, stage demonstrations, conduct agitations and resort to strikes to press their various demands. They do not respect even their own teachers. They disobey the orders of college authorities. They go to the extent of taking the law into their own hands. They do not spare even the police. All this adversely affects their studies. But no one cares for their future. For this state of affairs, we cannot blame the students alone. Often, it is the political leaders of our country who incite the students against the authorities. They exploit student-power for their own political ends. They do not realise that they are playing with the lives and careers of the students. In fact, students possess great power. Because of the lack of able leadership, they do not know how to use this power in the best interests of the country. If there is a constrictive and healthy leadership, students’ power can be utilized for bringing about social, economic and political reforms in the country. If the students respond to their duty towards their country, there is no doubt that they will become worthy citizens of a worthy country. There are a number of ways in which students can serve their country. First, students should inculcate in them the spirit of discipline. No nation can progress without discipline. If countries like U. S. A. , U. K. , Germany, France and Japan have become advanced countries, it is all due to the discipline of their people. The Indian society suffers from a number of social evils. The worst is the evil of dowry. Dowry deaths are taking place almost every day in all major cities of the country. No doubt the Government has passed a law by virtue of which giving or accepting a dowry has become an offence. But law alone is not enough. Students can help to root out this evil by taking a pledge that they will not demand or accept any dowry at the time of their marriages. The students can also help in the removal of other social evils like child marriage, casteism, untouchability, drinking, gambling, etc. Another important role for the students can be to work for National Integration. They should fight evils like communalism, casteism, linguism, regionalism, etc. They should think of themselves as Indians first and Indians last. Sometimes natural calamities like earthquake, flood, drought, etc. afflict one part or the other of our country resulting in heavy loss of life and property. Students can provide relief to the stricken people by raising funds for them and organising relief works. Students can use their vast knowledge by providing education to the illiterate. The students of today are the citizens of tomorrow. Thus the India of tomorrow belongs to the students. By performing a positive and a constructive role, students can make India strong and prosperous.

Effects of the Environment on Organisms Primary Productivity

Effects of the Environment on Organisms Primary Productivity In this lab, samples of pond water were taken and measured using the Wrinkler and the Light and Dark bottle method in order to study the effects of the environment on primary productivity in organisms. The central purpose was to determine the effect of temperature on the amount of dissolved oxygen and photosyntehitic activity on primary productivity. The results from part A indicate that as temperature increases the amount of oxygen present decreases and the results from part B indicate that as the amount of photosynthetic activity increases the amount of oxygen present growths. For most organisms Oxygen is vital for cellular respiration. There is an abundance of oxygen in the atmosphere (about 200 milliliters of processes). Dissolved Oxygen is oxygen that is dissolved in water. In the aquatic environment there are only five to ten milliliters of DO in a liter of water. Dissolved Oxygen is required by all aquatic organisms. As water travels past an aquatic organisms gills (or other breathing apparatus), microscopic bubbles of oxygen gas in the water, called  (DO), are moved from the water to their blood.  At  low dissolved oxygen levels called hypoxia animal growth or reproduction can be damaged while the complete lack of oxygen called anoxia will kill animals. Also most algae, macrophytes, and any chemical reactions important for lakes require oxygen to survive. The Wrinkler method is used in this lab to measure the amount dissolved oxygen. The procedure includes the addition of alkaline iodine and magnanous sulfate to a water sample. From that manganous hydroxide is produced and upon acidification is changed to a manganese compound by oxygen in the sample. Immediately, the compound reacts with the iodine to release iodine which changes the water color to yellow. The amount of free iodine is equal to the amount of oxygen in the sample. The amount of iodine is measured by titration with sodium thiosulfate until the sample loses the yellowish color. The methods precision rate is 0.1 to 0.6%. The general question for part A of the lab involves the effect of temperature on dissolved oxygen . The hypothesis predicts that the relationship between temperature and dissolved oxygen will be an inverse relationship. So as the temperature increases the amount of dissolved oxygen will decrease. Five major gases that all have biological and physiochemical similar but differ in behavior and origin are dissolved in aquatic environments. The most important are nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Oxygen takes up about 21% of the atmosphere and nitrogen 78%. Water vapor takes up to 3% in volume. Most gases follow Henrys law that states that at constant temperature the amount of gas absorbed by a given volume of liquid is proportional to the pressure in atmosphere that the gas exerts. An exception is Carbon dioxide which may combine with numerous cations while entering natural waters to become more abundant than what the principle of Henrys law dictates. It can be found in both combined and free states. The amount of atmospheric component can be found dissolved in an aquatic environment can be predicted with the following formula: C= K*P where C equals the concentration of the gas that is absorbed, K equals the solubility factor, and P equals the partial pressure of the gas. Temperature is one factor that can influence the amount of oxygen dissolved in water. Waters capability to hold oxygen lowers as water becomes warmer. Warmer water becomes saturated more easily with oxygen. This effect of temperature on DO results in a seasonal wavering of DO in a body of water. Wind also mixes oxygen into the water as it blows across the surface. Oxygen decrease can be so severe enough on windy nights to kill fish. Another factor that affects dissolved oxygen is photosynthetic activity. Aquatic plants are capable of producing more oxygen in bright light. So during night when photosynthesis cannot balance the loss of oxygen through decomposition and respiration, the amount of DO could gradually decrease. Also the amount of DO could differentiate with the lake depth. More oxygen is produced near the top of the lake which is most exposed so that photosynthetic activity can occur from the sunlight. Oxygen consumption is also great along the bottom of a lake, where sunke n  organic  matter accumulates and decomposes. The amount of DO is lowest before dawn when photosynthesis continues. In addition, Microbial processes consume oxygen as organic material decays. Waterfalls, rapids, and wave action all aerate water and increase oxygen concentration. Salinity is the content of dissolved salts in water. As temperature and salinity increase the solubility of oxygen in water decreases. Partial pressure of oxygen in the air above water also influences the amount of DO in water. At higher elevations, less oxygen is present because the air is less dense. Because the air is less dense, it contains less oxygen. Seasonal changes can affect the DO concentrations. Warmer temperatures during summer speed up the rates of photosynthesis and decomposition. When growing season comes to an end and all of the plants die, their decomposition results in heavy oxygen consumption. Also seasonal events, such as changes in lake water levels, volume of  inflows  and   outflows, and presence of ice cover, also cause natural variation in the amount of DO. The general question for part B of the lab is the effect of photosynthetic activity on primary productivity. The hypothesis states that as the amount of light increases the more oxygen will be consumed, showing a direct relationship between photosynthetic activity and primary productivity. Primary productivity is the rate at which plants and other photosynthetic organisms produce organic compounds in the ecosystem. Only organisms that have photosynthetic pigments can use sunlight to produce new organic compounds from inorganic substances. The basic equation of photosynthesis is: 6Co2+6H20à  C6H12O6+6O. This equation says that green plants consume carbon for carbohydrate production from the carbon dioxide in H20 or in air. A measure of oxygen production over time gives a method of finding the amount of carbon that has been bound in organic compounds over a period of time. For each millimeter of oxygen produced about .535 milligrams of carbon has been integrated. Primary productivity can be measured by the rate of sugar formation, the rate of oxygen production, and the amount of carbon dioxide used. Measuring dissolved oxygen can gauge primary productivity in an aquatic ecosystem because oxygen is one of the most easily measured products of both respiration and photosyn thesis. The method of measuring the rate of oxygen production is used in this lab. The light and dark bottle method is one method of measuring the rate of oxygen production. With this method, the DO concentrations of samples of lake, ocean, samples of laboratory algal cultures, or river water are measured and compared before and after incubation bottles in light and darkness. In the lab the light and dark bottle method is used to measure the amount of oxygen in The amount of oxygen that the organisms in the bottles are consuming is indicated by the difference between the measurement of DO in the initial and dark bottles. The biological processes of photosynthesis and respiration are occurring in the bottles exposed to light so the change over time in DO concentration from the initial concentration measures net productivity. Net productivity is the organic material that remains after photosynthetic organisms in an ecosystem have used some of these compounds for their cellular energy needs (cellular respiration). Gross productivity is the entire photosynthetic produc tion of organic compounds in an ecosystem. It is the difference over time between amount of DO in the light bottle and the dark bottle. Materials Pond water 2 Bulbs: Sylvania Gro-Lux F40/GRO/AQ/WS/RP 40W A8/8a Tank Masking tape Carolina Lab 12: Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity kit 8-station 74663DA Aluminum Foil Aquaculture aquarium pump MK1504 Thermometer Rubber bands Tank 2 dirt stones Methods Begin part A of the lab by filling three of the bottles with samples of water in the three different temperatures given. With the procedure given, determine the DO of each sample and record the values. Record the values with the class data and then enter the class means in the table. Graph both the lab group data and class data as a scatter plot and draw the line of best fit. Begin part B of the lab, on the first day get seven BOD (water sampling) bottles. Fill all the bottles with the algal or lake water sample given. The water samples in this experiment are from the Green Hope High School wetland. The alga was kept under light for 24 hours a day until January 3rd. The solution then was strained until microscopic colonies of algae were existent. On January 18th, the tank was drained and 20 liters of H2O was used to dilute the solution. For one week, 6 tubes of algal growth were administered to the solution Take caution not to leave air bubbles at the top of the bottles. Label the cap of each bottle with measuring tape. Mark the labels as follows: I ( for initial, D (for dark), 100%, 65%, 25%, 10%, and 2%. Determine the DO for the Initial bottle now. Record this value. Record the class Initial bottle mean. The Initial amount of DO is the DO that the water has to begin with. With aluminum foil, cover the Dark bottle so that no light can enter. No photosynt hesis can occur in this bottle therefore the process of respiration by all of the organisms present will be the only thing that changes the DO. Plastic window screens will stimulate the attenuation of natural light that occurs because of the depth in a body of water. Wrap screen layers around the bottles in the following patterns: 100% light- no screens. Wrap; 65% light- 1 screen layer; % 25 light- 3 screen layers; 10% light- 5 screen layers; and 2 % light- 8 screen layers Make sure to cover the bottoms of the bottles to keep light from entering there. Use clothespins or rubber bands to keep the screens in place. Put the bottles on their sides under the bank of lights. Make sure to turn the bottles so that the labels are facing down to keep from preventing light from getting to the contents. Leave the bottles overnight under constant illumination. On day two of part B, determine the DO in all the bottles that were under the lights. Record the DO of the Dark bottle. Calculate the respiration rate using the formula in the table. Record the other bottles in another table. Complete the calculations to determine the gross and net productivity in each bottle. Follow the Wrinkler method. Fill the water sampling bottle. Add eight drops of Manganous Sulfate Solution. Add eight drops of Alkaline Potassium Iodine Azide. Cap and mix the bottle. Allow the precipitate to settle. Use the 1.0 g spoon to add Sulfuric Acid Powder or 8 drops of Sulfuric Acid. Cap and mix until reagent and precipitate dissolve. Fill the test tube to the 20 mL line. Fill the titrator with Sodium Thiosulfate. Titrate until the sample color is pale yellow. Make sure to not disturb the titrator. Add 8 drops of starch indicator. Continue titration until blue color disappears and the solution is colorless. Read result in ppm Dissolved Oxygen. (College Board, 2001) Equations and Calculations L= Initial Bottle, L= Light Bottle, D= Dark Bottle L-I= Net Productivity I-D= Respiration L-D= Gross Productivity Average= Sum of the values from each group/# of groups Results This table showed the group and class average for par A of the lab. The class average is calculated from table 2. The data shows the dissolved oxygen concentration at the cold, room, and warm temperature. The graph shows class data from table 2. The line of best fit shows the decreasing overall trend in dissolved oxygen. As shown by the line as the temperature increase, the amount of DO decreases. This shows the group for part B of the lab. The DO, gross, and net productivity are shown. The gross productivity was found by calculating the DO of the light bottle minus the DO of the dork bottle. So the Gross Productivity of 0 screens and 100% light is 20.0-0.0 which equals 20.00. The Net productivity was found by calculating the light bottle minus the initial bottle. So the net productivity of 0 screens and 100% light is 20.00-8.2 which equals 11.8. The gross and net productivity must be calculated per day so the gross and net productivity calculated form the data had to be divided by two. The table shows the DO concentration of the class. The average DO is calculated by adding all eight of the groups DO and then dividing by eight. Class Gross Productivity Similar to the net productivity, the gross productivity was calculated for two days and needs to be for one day. Each gross productivity of each group was divided into two, and then the average of the eight groups gave the class average of gross productivity for each bottle. Graph 2 The graph shows that as the number of screens increased the DO decreased. Next, the net productivity was calculated from the DO values from chart 5. Because the DO was accumulated over a period of two days the net productivity must also be divided by two. Graph 3 The graph shows that the more screens there were the less DO was present. The screens obstructed light so the more screens there were the more light that was obstructed. The respiration rate was calculated by calculating The DO of the Initial bottle minus the DO of the Dark bottle. So the respiration rate for the group data was the original value of Initial dissolved oxygen divided by 2 minus the DO of the Dark bottle, so 8.2/2 is equal to 4.1-0.0 which is equal to 4.1. The results were accurate because the average was derived from four different groups for part A and eight different groups for part B, performing the same experiments. There was expression for variability because the temperature among the groups were not exactly the same and the sources of error may have led to unwanted variability. Conclusion The results from part A support the hypothesis predicting that the relationship between temperature and dissolved oxygen would be an inverse relationship. Graph 1 shows that as the temperature increases the amount of DO decreases. The results from part B prove the hypothesis which states that there is a direct relationship between the amount of light an organism receives and the amount dissolved oxygen present. Graphs 2 shows that the more screens there were to obstruct light, the less the net productivity of DO there was. The net productivity shows the change over time in DO concentration from the initial. The results proved to be accurate and effectively showed the effects of temperature and light on dissolved oxygen. An error that occurred in the lab was that the bulbs were placed parallel to the tray which caused the light intensity to be varied affecting the amount of DO. Also the bottles may have been shaken while being filled allowing additional oxygen to enter. A third error could have been that the Winkler test may not have been performed quickly enough which maybe have allowed the temperature to be changed in the warm and cold bottles. This maybe have affected the amount of DO present. Also the dark bottle may not have been covered completely allowing light to be absorbed. This would also have affected the amount of DO. The cap may not have been screwed on all the way allowing oxygen to leak, affecting the DO. One improvement could be to place the bottles parallel to the tray so that each bottle receives the same amount of light. Another improvement could be to allow the DO to only accumulate for one day rather than for two. One possible extension is to measure the amount of DO produced at various depths in a lake. Another extension is to measure the affect in dissolved oxygen production if algae is supplied with nitrates and/or phosphates. Work Cited Biology lab manual for students,  2001,  New York: College Board Campbell, N.A., Reece, J. B., Mitchell, L.G. (1999).  Biology (5th ed.). Menlo Park:  Benjamin/Cummings. Dissolved Oxygen. (2007, December 7).  Retrieved from Water on the Web website:  http://www.waterontheweb.org/under/waterquality/oxygen.htm Dissolved Oxygen Water Quality Test Kit. (n.d).  Retrieved from LaMOTTE COMPANY website:  http://www.lamotte.com/pages/common/pdf/instruct/7414.pdf The Flow of Energy: Primary Production to Higher Trophic Levels. (2008, October 31).  Retrieved from University of Michigan website:  http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/kling/energyflow/energyflow.html

The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham :: essays research papers

The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham Background: John Wyndham, born in 1903, tried more than four careers before starting to write short stories in 1925. The Chrysalids was written in 1955. Outline of the Book: Thousands of years after our time, the world faced something known as Tribulation, when civilization was almost completely wiped out and had to be started over, with new rules and laws. Humans beings born as â€Å"deviants†, missing an attribute that normal humans would have, is considered a blasphemy towards God. David, a young man whose father is in charge of seeking out deviants in his community, discovered that he, along with a few other young adults, can communicate to one another through their minds and what they call â€Å"thought shapes†. For a long while they’ve hidden their secret talents, but as rules get tighter and tighter they know it’s only a matter of time until they’re discovered. Theme(s): tolerance, religion Criticisms (Unfavourable): Near the end of the book the dialogue becomes more rhetorical than the rest of the book. This isn’t really a problem, but can become slightly confusing at times. The best option would be to read this part slowly and carefully in order to understand what the message is. Criticisms (Favourable): Very original, intelligent plot. Well-written characters that aren’t two dimensional and who make human decisions (David’s father, who may seem like a cruel man but who is really just doing what he was brought up to believe is right). Comparison: â€Å"The House of the Scorpion†, â€Å"The Stepford Wives† (book) These two books also deal with people who are not as â€Å"real† as typical human beings, such as robots or clones Quotations: â€Å"Clearly there must be a mistake somewhere. Surely having one very small toe extra—well, two very small toes, because I supposed there would be one to match on the other foot—surely that couldn’t be enough to make her ‘hateful in the sigh of God†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢?

Anna Kingsley Essay -- essays research papers fc

Anna Kingsley, a woman of strength and determination overcame many odds not expected of an African American slave. She married a slave owner, owned land, and was once a slave herself. She was well known in a free black community she helped establish. Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley was the wife of plantation owner Zephaniah Kingsley. She was the daughter of a man of high status. Her father’s sides were descendants of the well know Njaajan Njaay, the creators of the Jolof Empire. Her father was killed in April 1806, the day she was captured. The tyeddo warriors invaded her village and collected all the villagers to be sold as slaves. That day she not only lost her freedom and her home, but also her dignity and her youth (Harvey, 41). Anna and the others were lead to a ship and they sailed from Senegal to Havana, Cuba to be sold as slaves. The Havana Market was the center of commerce of Spain’s colonies in America (Schafer, 23). Anna arrived in Florida in 1806. She was thirteen years old. Zephaniah Kinglsey Jr was a citizen of Spanish East Florida. He was born in England, but raised in Charleston, South Carolina. His father, a merchant, moved his family to Nova Scotia because he was banished from South Carolina for giving support to King George III at time of the American Revolution. In 1808, Kinglsey moved to Florida, where he pledged his fidelity to Spain and imported slaves on his plantation (Schafer, 21). Once purchased, Kingsley boarded Anna on the ship Esther and they sailed to Laurel Grove Plantation north and on the west of the St. Johns River. This would be her new home. She did not stay in the slave quarters, but she did stay in his two-story home. He thought of her as his wife and she was carrying his child. A few months before Anna gave birth; she became manager of Kingsley’s household located at Laurel Grove. Most of the slave’s came from East and West Africa. The plantation consisted of corn, cotton, mandarin oranges, sugarcane, potatoes and beans. According to Kinglsey â€Å"color ought not be the badge of degrading,† only the distinction should be between slaves and free, not between white and colored (Schafer, 32). Anna and Zephaniah were open about their relationship. She was the head wife or woman in a polygamous household. One March 4, 1811 after five years of enslavement, Anna was emancipated by her husband. She was now a free woman again. In 181... ...she once again had to leave the home she created because Florida seceded the union. The Civil War soon followed. After the Civil War, Anna never had the wealth and power that she once had. Her personal wealth was acquired through ownership of her slaves. There is no true documentation as to when Anna died, but it is thought to be between 1860 and 1870. Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley was buried in a peaceful grove off the St. Johns River in Florida. She is surrounded by many family members including her daughters. She rests peacefully in an unmarked grave sheltered from the violence that followed her through a life marked by danger, courage, tenacious defense of family, flight, and triumphant return (Schafer, 121). She was a remarkable and determined black woman who achieved many accomplishments that are extraordinary. She became a well known figure in a free black community. Works Cited Harvey, Karen. Daring daughters: St. Augustine’s feisty females. Virginia Beach, VA, 2002 Schafer, Daniel. Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley. Florida, 2003 Tilford, Kathy, Anna Kingsley: A free woman.† OAH Magazine of history 12, 1997 http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazone/women/tilford.htm

Lives of the Saints Essay

Summary: Chapter 1 In the opening of the chapter, the main character Vittorio describes the story that the book is written about. It has a beginning that occurred on a hot July day in the year 1960 in Vittorio’s home town of Valle de Sole, when his mother, Christina got bit by a snake. Vittorio describes his city as to have no holy places, ancient cites or ruins; forgotten and unsung, just like hundreds of villages spread throughout Italy. Vittorio describes how his father immigrated to America almost four years ago when Vittorio was barely three years old. His grandfather was left crippled from the war when a horse crushed his foot and he was injured by a grenade. That day, his mother slipped out of the house making him promise that he would read his school books. Vittorio’s attendance at school was not very regular because he would spend much of class time wondering to the top of Colle di Papa or down the river with his friend Fabrizio and sharing cigarettes that Fabrizio had stole from his father. Vittorio was sitting on his porch reading math books when he dose off. He was awakened by a muffled shout coming from the stable. Vittorio ran to the stable and stopped short at the bottom of the steps and peeked through the crack in the door. Inside he saw a green snake which slipped through the cracks of the stable and into the tomato garden. While Vittorio was watching the snake, the barn door opened, and a man with blue eyes swooped out of the stable. After Vittorio went inside the stable, he saw his mother pouring water into the pigs’ trough as though nothing has happened. Vittorio tells his mother that he heard a man screm and when she asked him what he saw, Vittorio replied that he didnt see anything. He then told her that she has blood on her ankle. In the conclusion of the chapter, Christina tells Vittorio to run up to Di Lucci’s and tell him to bring a car because she had been bitten by a snake.