Pi sleeps fitfully and wakes before sunrise to find Richard Parker restless and nearing thirst. With the sky clear and another hot, rainless day likely, Pi worries that their real limit is fresh water, not food, and that the canned water cannot last for both of them.

Pi checks the solar stills that have been floating for two days and discovers, to his shock, that the collection pouch is full of fresh, salt-free water. Encouraged, Pi empties the pouch and finds that the other stills have also produced heavily, allowing him to collect over eight litres in the fish bucket and to carefully maintain the stills like precious livestock.

Pi sets the bucket on the lifeboat’s side bench beyond the tarpaulin and secures it with rope. He glimpses Richard Parker’s den under the tarpaulin—rank with decaying animal remains—then uses small pieces of flying fish to draw Richard Parker out so the tiger notices the bucket and drinks. When Richard Parker finishes, Pi stares him down and blows the whistle, and Richard Parker retreats under the tarpaulin.

As the heat becomes stifling, Pi stays under the canopy and fishes, but catches nothing, despite signs of marine life. A green sea turtle approaches, and Pi does not act, though the sight makes him consider trying. The solar stills continue to bead with condensation, and Pi marks that the next morning will make a week since the Tsimtsum sank.