Narayan Naik's mental and physical growth is retarded. At the age of 20 he stands at about three feet. He has skin disorders, too. Father Devappa Naik labours in the neighbouring farms. Narayan can make conversation on rudimentary matters. He can point out the direction from where the helicopter comes, though he knows little about the endosulfan that it sprays. His younger sisters, Jaya, 18, and Revathi, 14, could both pass for his aunts. They play with him, indulge him. Revathi has epilepsy.