- Are they all coming today, Hdajk?

- Yes father, they will be here, but are you sure you are up to it?

- Of course I am! Oyw was slightly offended, but took it in stride.

- I just don’t want you to wear yourself out; you haven’t been too well lately.

- I will be fine!

- Dear children and in-laws, thank you all for coming. Before we eat, I want to discuss something with you that is heavy on my heart. As you all know, when your mother and I came to this valley many winters ago we were strangers.

- That’s one of the reasons why I find it reprehensible that members of my own family, my children, does not treat a friendly stranger, a smart and decent man, with anything but friendliness. I will not have it!

- But father…

- Don’t interrupt! I’m not finished. Once, your mother and I relied on this friendliness. Dubi’s birthmother Ka’he, the Nuuh family, the U’chl’s, the Baba’s - they all helped us and showed us nothing but kindness. I insist that we, as a family, we who once relied on hospitality, in fact it was the basis for our entire existence, will return that kindness to others.

- Secondly, Oyw continued, all of you have had the freedom to choose your life partners. This has never been an issue in our family and I can’t see any reason for that to change. In important questions like this, I believe we all have to make our own choices, and those choices must be respected by all of us. If you should ever try to deny your siblings, your children or anyone else the right to choose for themselves, you must know that this is totally against my wishes. You might argue that you interfere to protect the other, but that’s not true! It just lack of respect for your brother or sister and shows disrespect of our core values. If you defy me on this, it will be difficult for me to consider you a full-fledged member of my family.

- So you’re basically forcing us to like and love whoever comes our way, and if not you will throw us out of the family? Efhag asked

- You don’t have to love anybody. But you have to show him or her the same respect as they give you. It’s a matter of simple decency. Think about what I’ve said. If you disagree, I will listen to your opinions, but I don’t think I will change my mind. And now I’m too hungry. Let’s eat.

That evening there was a quite unfamiliar silence around the table. Everyone seemed to be preoccupied with their own thoughts.

.

Previous | Index | Chapter 3 | Character overview | Next