One Book Sacramento Essay Contest
Teen category 3rd place:Erin Keating
McClatchy High School
Sacramento
When I first got Three Cups of Tea, I thought it was going to be a boring summer reading book. But after the first couple of pages, I knew I was reading something special. This book has had a huge impact on my life. I enjoyed this book so much that I passed it on to my grandma, mom, and my aunt. My grandma donated money and my aunt has stated that if she dies she wants money to be sent to the Central Asian Institute. I myself have started looking at websites with programs that could send me to another country in need as a graduating senior and build a school or a library for the children. Three Cups of Tea opened up another world for me; I never realized how lucky I was to live in the United States. It is mind blowing to think that people are starving, homeless, have little technology and bad educational systems half way across the world, Every time I don't finish a meal I feel guilty and think of the people that would kill for the rest of my food. This book has inspired me and shown me that one person really can make a difference in the world.
Before I read this book, I wrongfully labeled countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan as terrorist countries. This book showed me how wrong I was. I was so moved that Greg Mortenson was in Pakistan on 9/11. On September 14th Greg went to a primary school inauguration. Syed Abbas gave a heartbreaking speech asking for America to look into their hearts and to see that the majority of them were not terrorists, but good simple people. After the ceremony widows offered Mortenson condolences and pressed eggs into his hands for the widows of New York. Every time I read this part it makes me cry. It makes me feel horrible because I know that the majority of America didn't look below the surface and still thinks of places like Pakistan as terrorist countries.
Greg didn't go over to Pakistan to teach people about America, and that is what I think got his so far. He learned how to pray like a Muslim and how to speak their language. When Greg learned that it would take a year to build a bridge, he was really frustrated. Haji Ali taught him to be patient. Greg accepted he couldn't change their ways so he adapted to them. This is why getting a chance to meet Greg Mortenson would be a once in a life time opportunity. To be able to hear him speak about his work in Pakistan would be so amazing I can't even put my emotions into words.