The Long Walk Home
Twelve-year-old Rebekah grieves her parents’ stiffness and silence. They struggle with the language; they worry about their last name. They hurry home, afraid of being so different.
They pass the forbidden tea room with its fancy cakes, the dress shop with flowing silks, the office that refused to hire her father, a window filled with mirrors. In the glass, she sees her parents laughing, holding hands. Her mother wears a jaunty blue hat. Her father sports a gold watch chain, his head held high. Rebekah smiles happily.
“Rachel, Becky,” her reflected father calls in perfect English, “Time for afternoon tea!”
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou left so many questions in my mind, Juma. Like, why do they struggle with the language? And why do they worry about their last name and why do they hurry home, afraid of being so different? Is the family travelled to a different country?
Good job, Juma. You make me engaged and interested in it.
I am happy that you became engaged and interested by my story, Lotchie. I can’t give too many answers to your questions, because that might spoil the story for those who haven’t read it yet. One clue: the young girl’s name.
I see it. You are so talented, Juma. Especially in bringing your readers to crave more and be interested in reading it.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleJuma, I agree with Lotchie. This leaves so many questions. I get the impression that they might be oppressed in the country where they live. It might not be their country of birth? I love how Rebekah sees her parents happy in the reflective mirror. Great story.
Hello Marianna, and thanks for your feedback. The story is not only about the ways in which Rebekah’s family are different, but also about the great love and understanding of a young girl for her parents. Instead of blaming them or being angry, she imagines a better life for them. I think they will all be ok eventually, because of Rebekah’s great love and creative imagining.
Having the support of a loving, caring family can make life so much easier when you’re different to everyone else around you. I think it is lovely that the 12 year old Rebekah reciprocates that loving care and is able to see past their differences in the reflection and to a happier future for them all. Nicely done
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Carrie. Yes we learn nurturing at an early age.
Hello Juma. The mirror – I love that thread of hope, to be able to see beyond. A sad story but also one packed with hope. Well done Juma.
Thanks, Eric. I always imagine mirrors can show us what will be. Rebekah believed that as well!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis is a very interesting and very well written story, Juma. I see a young Jewish woman, suffering because she is living with her parents in an anti-Semitic society, where they are rejected and looked down upon. The parents are fearful, quiet and unhappy, but Rebekah has hopes that one day it will all change. In the mirror, she sees her dreams come true, with happy, relaxed parents, and even her name… Read more »
Christer, you are right on every point. I thought everyone would pick up on the name Rebekah, which is a Hebrew name. There are also clues to the time period – the mother’s hat and the father’s pocket watch place us somewhere before the First World War. I find it rather sad that the highest dream Rebekah can imagine at that moment is for all of them to be, as you said,… Read more »
This story is so interesting. I like how it follows a different family instead of one single different person. It is a great way to interpret the theme.
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