Selected World Vignettes: Not Your Mother's Stories

This collection of anecdotes depicts situations characteristic of mainly developing countries, where indigenous values are challenged by the influx of foreign ideas. In some instances, the Christian religion taught by missionaries brings literacy into the rural culture, accompanied by great stress to those trained to be agents of change in their communities. In others, situations call for an adjustment in relationships with the family back home on the farm. Tempers sometimes flare out of control, as in the story about the rhino whip. Or in others, people learn to appreciate the fruits of hard labor, as in the tory of the Marathon run. While in others, people exploring countries far away from their homes go through experiences that are unique, a sort of once-in-a-life adventure. All vignettes in this collection have one theme in common: they illustrate the broad spectrum of human nature; such as endurance and suffering, self-assessment, prejudice and yes, even love. All vignettes have a humorous aspect to them.