The children's version of the story of Dr. Greg & Three Cups of Tea, available at your public library.
By Magdalena I. García
When we were young, they often asked us this question, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” You could argue that in my childhood this question was pretty simple to answer because there wasn’t much to pick from outside of the traditional professions and trades. Today, on the other hand, mostly thanks to technology, civil rights and economic development, the number of career paths available to both boys and girls of any race and social status is incredible, overwhelming.
Still, the question made many of us feel uncomfortable as children, because most of us weren’t sure about what to reply. Some adults were patient and actually waited for us to answer the question; or better yet, they took silence for an answer. Others were really gracious and complemented us on anything we volunteered, no matter how vague or odd. My friend C. once asked her oldest son what he wanted to be when he grew up, and since he was sitting in the backseat of the car, looking out as they drove past apartment buildings and stores, he spit out the first thing that came to his mind: “public storage.” C. knew better than to laugh; it became a teachable moment about public service jobs.
But most adults used the opportunity to lecture us on the advantage of certain professions and occupations. I remember getting an ear full about being a doctor or a lawyer from relatives who worked in food retail. I could never figure out the connection. Were they hoping for help with food poisoning or legal defense before the Internal Revenue Service? Why didn’t they suggest marketing so I could turn the family business into a Cuban food paradise? Imagine a supermarket with speakers throughout the store playing a classic tune like “kimbombó que resbala, con la yuca seca” (literally, “okra that slips on the dry cassava;” sounds silly, I know, but some say there are sensual connotations here). Or better yet, TV screens with Desi Arnaz playing Mr. Babalu. People would be dancing up and down the supermarket aisles, and charging away like there is no tomorrow!
As we grew older, the pattern didn’t really change, but the content often did, with adults—speaking out of their own fears—encouraging us to consider the most profitable work. But if you were really lucky, somewhere along the line a wise adult suggested that you listen to your heart, although that did not really make matters any easier. Most of us could only hear the thump-thump of the muscle pumping blood, and this can be the case even with perfectly grown-up people. Or we heard the heart saying something different every week or season, which was not exactly helpful in picking a college major.
But why don’t adults ever say what the wise man from Korphe, a village in the mountains of Pakistan, said to Dr. Greg Mortenson—co-author of the New York Times Bestseller Three Cups of Tea? In response to Dr. Greg’s inquiry about what he could do to thank the village for saving his life, the wise man responded with a puzzle: “Listen to the wind.” As Dr. Greg walked down the mountain, he clearly heard the voices of the Korphe children having a lesson outside; they needed a school. And that was the beginning of Dr. Greg’s first building project in Pakistan.
For more on Dr. Greg’s story check out these websites:
www.threecupsoftea.com
www.ikat.org
www.penniesforpeace.org
And best of all...listen to the wind!
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