The Meaning of the River in SiddharthaIn the book Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse the meaning of the river is displayed through the experiences that Siddhartha has next to the river and the things that listening to the sound that comes to understand. Siddhartha is learning something from the moment he takes the ferry to the moment Govinda lies on the ground with tears flowing uncontrollably. Siddhartha admits that he has no money to pay for the journey, but the Ferryman says that friendship is reward enough and takes him with him. in the city. After leaving the city, Siddhartha returns to the river where he had previously met the ferryman. Intrigued by the beauty and silent wisdom of the river, Siddhartha decides to stay by the river. Siddhartha soon meets the ferryman Vasuveda, the same man who had taken him across the river earlier. Siddhartha offers to be Vasuveda's apprentice, an offer which the ferryman graciously accepts. The two grow together as Siddhartha begins to learn the wisdom of the river, and soon Siddhartha begins to emulate Vasuveda's behavior, expressing a contented peace in the routine of daily life. Years pass. One day, the two ferrymen hear that the Buddha is dying. Kamala, having heard the news, also travels with her son to be near Goatama. While passing by the river, she is bitten by a snake and dies, but not before Vasuveda takes her to Siddhartha. After Kamala's death, Siddhartha keeps his son with him near the river. The boy, however, refuses to accept Siddhartha as his father and consequently does not do anything he is told. Many months pass, but the boy remains intransigent. Eventually the boy runs away. Vasuveda tells Siddhartha to let him go, but Siddhartha follows him. Once in the city, Siddhartha recalls his experiences there and admits to himself what he knew all along, that he could not help the boy. Siddhartha feels great pain over this loss, and the happiness he had known as a ferryman abandons him. Vasuveda soon arrives and leads the despondent Siddhartha back to the river. The pain of losing his son lasted a long time for Siddhartha. It allowed him, however, to identify with ordinary people more than ever. Although Siddhartha began to understand what wisdom truly is, the thought of his son did not abandon him. One day he sets out to find his son, but stops when he hears the river laughing at him.