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Photo by aussiegall.I'm taking a class called Write a Children's Book through the South Africa Writer's College. It's taught by award-winning author, Helen Brain, and I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to be part of it. One of the things Helen wisely forces her students to do is to read a bunch of books for kids in the age range for which the student wants to write. For me, this has meant lots of books in the 9-12 year old range.
One of the books I chose was A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park. Set in twelfth-century Korea, twelve-year old Tree-ear is an orphan boy who works for master potter Min. At one point, Tree-ear must make a long and difficult journey on behalf of his aging master and deliver two exquisite vases to the royal court in a city far away.
A few days before he leaves, Tree-ear confesses his worries to his old friend, Crane-man. What if I lose my way? What if robbers attack me? How can I possibly make such a long journey alone?
"It is so far away," he tells Crane-man.
"No, my friend," Crane-man tells him. "It is only as far as the next village. Your mind knows that you are going to Songdo. But you must not tell your body. It must think one hill, one valley, one day at a time. In that way, your spirit will not grow weary before you have even begun to walk." (A Single Shard, p. 93)
Are you weak and weary? Are you freaking out about the upcoming holidays? Or maybe you're worried about your health or that of a loved one? Try telling your feet only half the story. And may I suggest that you tell the other half to Jesus? Matthew 11:28-30 in the Message version of the Bible is a great reminder of what waits for you when you do.
A few days before he leaves, Tree-ear confesses his worries to his old friend, Crane-man. What if I lose my way? What if robbers attack me? How can I possibly make such a long journey alone?
"It is so far away," he tells Crane-man.
"No, my friend," Crane-man tells him. "It is only as far as the next village. Your mind knows that you are going to Songdo. But you must not tell your body. It must think one hill, one valley, one day at a time. In that way, your spirit will not grow weary before you have even begun to walk." (A Single Shard, p. 93)
Are you weak and weary? Are you freaking out about the upcoming holidays? Or maybe you're worried about your health or that of a loved one? Try telling your feet only half the story. And may I suggest that you tell the other half to Jesus? Matthew 11:28-30 in the Message version of the Bible is a great reminder of what waits for you when you do.
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