Kiyomi's mother, Okaasan, is teaching her the ways of the ama, but Kiyomi is frightened by the deep, dark waters. One night, Okaasan wakes Kiyomi to watch the sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Later, Kiyomi comes to identify with one of the hatchlings who is drachm toward the bright lights of the city, as she herself struggles to choose between life in the city's factories and life as an ama.