Ammu and Estha engage in a thought-provoking conversation about the nature of happiness and reality. Estha questions whether happiness experienced in a dream holds any value in the real world. Ammu understands the deeper implications behind his query, which reflects a yearning to grasp what truly matters in life, emphasizing that only tangible or significant experiences have weight and importance.

The exchange continues with a metaphor about eating fish in a dream, questioning if such experiences translate into real-life actions or fulfillments. This dialogue captures the essence of the book's exploration of memory, reality, and the complexities of human emotions, raising profound questions about the boundaries between dreams and reality.