Friday, March 2, 2012

Puzzling pieces...


From Karri:
 Throughout our daily life here in India one thing we constantly do is work to fit pieces of Indian life and culture into our frame work of thinking.  It is like taking a new puzzle piece and searching for the right spot where it fits and fills in more of the picture.  Ben and Seth do it as they learn to play cricket by comparing it to the rules of baseball.  I do it  as I cook, smelling different spices and discovering coriander powder is just like cilantro.  But sometimes we take a piece and try to cram it into a part of the puzzle where it just doesn’t fit and the results are not good!

Levi took this latter approach after hearing the Muslim call to prayer over the loud speakers in the market on different occasions.  One time, as the Imam was crying out in a language we don’t understand and this sound filled the air, Levi’s eyes brightened.  He had figured out what was happening and thought he found where this new piece belonged.  He stopped and at the top of his lungs belted out the opening lines of the Lion King ….”AAAAHHHH  Sshhhubenya …”!  Having recently been to Disney this made perfect sense to him.  He wanted to join in the song!

So after being equally horrified and humored at his processing, we put our hand over his mouth and walked quickly on.  Some pieces of the puzzle are totally different from what we know and can’t be fit in by comparing~ we have to start on the other corner of the puzzle and put the pieces there until we can fill in more of the picture.  Eventually all the pieces will start connecting and reveal the beauty of an “American Indian” life!

1 comment:

  1. What a great memory this will make of your early days in India! You're in our constant prayers. Keep the updates coming!

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