Watching the river ice break up after eight frozen months, papa Kumak comments to his family, "As sure as seagulls return in spring, that river will come to visit us today." Indeed it does--as Kumak and his neighbors watch from the roofs of their stilt-based homes, the water rises behind a temporary jam to carry away the village's oil drums, fish tubs, net floats and toys, as well as the boat into which Kumak has herded his motley pack of dogs. The river doesn't "visit" long, though, and once the dam breaks up, everyone climbs down to help one another successfully recover their strayed goods and animals.