Tuesday, January 08, 2008

What is a Problem?

A favorite passage from the book our family is currently reading:

I think it is time you knew of Tagoona, the Eskimo. Last year one of our white men said to him, 'We are glad you have been ordained as the first priest of your people. Now you can help us with their problem.'

Tagoona asked, 'What is a problem?' and the white man said, "Tagoona, if I held you by your heels from a third-story window, you would have a problem.'

Tagoona considered this long and carefully. Then he said, 'I do not think so. If you saved me, all would be well. If you dropped me, nothing would matter. It is you who would have the problem.'

I Heard The Owl Call My Name, Margaret Craven