In June of 2002, a very unusual ceremony begins in a far-flung village in western Kenya.
An American diplomat is surrounded by hundreds of Maasai people. A
gift is about to be bestowed upon the American men, women, and children,
and he is there to accept it. The gift is as unexpected as it is
extraordinary.
A mere nine months have passed since the September 11 attacks, and
hearts are raw. Tears flow freely from American and Maasai as these
legendary warriors offer their gift to a grieving people half a world
away.
Word of the gift will travel newswires around the globe. Many will be
profoundly touched, but for Americans, this selfless gesture will have
deeper meaning still. For a heartsick nation, the gift of fourteen cows
emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope—and
friendship.
Master storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy hits all the right notes in this
elegant story of generosity that crosses boundaries, nations, and
cultures. An afterword by Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah—the Maasai warrior at
the center of the story—provides additional information about his tribe
and their generous actions. Thomas Gonzalez’s stunning paintings, which
are saturated with rich hues of oranges, browns, blues, and greens,
capture the modest nobility of the Maasai people and the distinctive
landscape of the African plain. |