48 pages 1 hour read

Zoulfa Katouh

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2022

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Chapter 37-EpilogueChapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 37 Summary

On the boat, Salama gives Kenan painkillers for his previous beating. The refugees start singing songs about Syria. Salama imagines her younger self running across sand, and knows she will miss her homeland. The refugees all say goodbye to their home. Salama looks at the Syrian coast until it disappears.

Chapter 38 Summary

In the middle of the night, Khawf visits Salama. He studies the sea with her, promising that fate is in control now. He explains that he lives in every human, in every culture, all around the world. The pair share a final conversation about fate, fear, and faith. Salama realizes fear can help one survive or ruin one’s life with paralysis. Khawf tells her that nothing was her fault, especially Layla’s death. She believes him, and they say goodbye; Khawf disappears.

Kenan wakes up feeling seasick, so Salama takes out lemons to help their stomachs. While Lama and Yusuf sleep, they again talk about their future in Germany. Salama falls asleep, but later wakes to an ominous storm, which is rocking the boat. Everyone is frantic; Salama recalls Am promising them that the boat was good enough. The waves rise higher, and the boat will likely sink.