This chapter opens with a brief description of the island of Yap. Yap is a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is inhabited by a large number of native people, including the Yapan people, who live on the island as well as a number of foreign visitors. Yap's native people are known as the "Bigeaters" because they eat large amounts of food. The Bigeaters are described as being "big" and "large" in appearance, and Yap explains that this is because he is a "big eater" . He tells Yap that he has made friends with a young girl who lives on Yap, and that he would like to meet the girl again.