Brother Khoi

Khoi’s Background

“No matter what mother decides, we are not to leave. I must protect my chick and you your papayas.” (46)

Khoi is deeply rooted in his Vietnam home. Being a person who wants to raise chickens, he is connected to the land and refuses to leave.

Khoi’s Family

“Who can go against a mother who has become gaunt like bark from raising four children alone?” (54)

Khoi’s family is very close, and their mother is the glue that bonds them. She does everything for her kids, and struggles to keep them fed and together as the war comes closer and closer by the day.

Quang

Vu

Ha

Mother

Khoi’s Eggs and Chick

“Brother Khoi refuses to eat his, putting each under a heat lamp in hopes of a chick.” (pg. 16)

Khoi loves watching animals grow! When you have barely enough to eat, to sacrifice an egg you can eat in hopes that it will hatch is devotion to the cause of raising animals.

Khoi’s Passion

“I would still be standing there, crying and waving at nothing if Brother Khoi hadn’t come to take my hand.” (10-11)

Khoi’s passion is nurturing and caring for living things. Whether it’s helping Ha through her best friend fleeing Saigon, or watching his eggs diligently in hopes that one will hatch.