Ruth May is the youngest of the Price sisters, and by far the most free spirited. Ruth May is the first to interact with the children in the village and is the only sister to maintain her child-like ways. She spent most of her time climbing trees, and watching what was going on around her. She liked to be up in trees because no one was able to see her, but she was able to see them. Multiple times she related herself to the Mamba snake, which camouflages its self to hide from its prey before using it's deadly venom to kill it. Due to her age, Ruth May didn't understand the importance of taking her medication even though it may have tasted bad, and fell ill. While she is sick, she remains bed-ridden for the majority of the book, but she is still able to comprehend most of what is going on around her.
Significance of the name "Ruth"
"The book of Ruth" is one of many books found in the Christian Bible. The book features the story of Ruth, who stood up to her husband's mother (Naomi) who had earlier told her to leave and never return. Ruth stood up to Naomi and stated "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me." (Ruth 1:16–17 NKJV). This relates to the character of Ruth May Price, by substituting the Congo for Naomi. Ruth May was the only character who fully adapted to the way of the Congolese, and stayed in the Congo until her death.
