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My First Sin - A snippet 7/25/2008 7:49:23 PM
“My First Sin” is a feel-good adventure story, which takes place in a village on the Caribbean Island. It is a sequel to “Crying Mountain” the acclaimed story about a young girl named Tilou and her journey through a hurricane that devastated her village. In “My First Sin” the reader is uplifted by Tilou’s spirit and strength as she goes on her search for her “first sin” so she can have something to confess before receiving her First Communion. We are amazed and inspired by Tilou’s tenacity and sense of humor as she takes us on her odyssey of discovery. As we arrive at the river crossing, we pause. The river is somewhat rough. I am not far from Gran’s house which makes me very happy. Besides, a rough-flowing river doesn’t bother me very much. Gran says I should only worry when the river is still because “still waters always run deep”.
As soon as the donkey puts its front feet into the river, the water calms down. We cross and when we get to the other side, the donkey begins to gallop faster than any donkey I have ever seen, even faster than a horse. The old lady says nothing.
I can see our house on top of the hill. I hold onto the woman tighter while the donkey pretends to be “Superman”. I feel the rise and fall of her chest. Then suddenly I begin to sense that the heat in her body is dissolving, which I find very strange. I had never noticed her being particularly warm, but now there is no feeling of heat at all.
“This is my home. Thanks so much for the ride,” I say.
The old woman does not respond. Even though I’m holding onto her, it feels as though she’s not really there. Then I sense nothing. The breath and flesh of a human being has totally gone. I can only feel her clothes which terrifies me so I jump down so fast that it probably even surprises the donkey. I am grateful that I didn’t break my ankle. Then most astonishing of all, right before my eyes, her clothes collapse into a pile of material which falls gently to the ground. No sign of her body is left behind.
“Ladilu (Holy macaroni)! Only in Tiville,” I say, followed immediately by, “Hey feet, give me your strength.” Then I take off running so fast, not even someone riding the most spirited donkey in the world could catch me.
The moon is bright, illuminating my way as I kick up dust on the trail. I raise my head to familiar Mr. Moon.
“Hey friend, guide me home,” I say to the moon.
“You got it,” he smiles.
When I arrive home, there is a big fire in the yard. It’s Auntie Nana burning leaves.
“I have dinner for you,” she says.
“Thanks.”
“Where is your little friend? I have not seen her all day.”
“Oh, she went back to the boardinghouse,” I say.
The sight of Auntie Nana makes everything better. I don’t want to tell her what happened though, because I already know what she’ll say:
“I knew she was a bad person. You shouldn’t have ever had her as a friend.”
I don’t want to hear those words. I am not one to judge others because I want to believe that everyone has a kind heart. That’s how I have always seen the world even when it has been detrimental to my own well being. I don’t want anyone to deprive me of that outlook, so sometimes I don’t tell others about the bad things I experience. Believe me, there have been many more good ones than bad.
I want to forget about what happened and concentrate on the present. I am still grateful, even though no one may be doing very much for me. At least I have people around. Poor Ana has nothing, no one at all. I can’t really blame her for her actions. The most important thing now is for me to make my First Communion because I am afraid to die with my first sin in my heart and this fear is keeping me up at night. I need to confess. I need to eat the little piece of bread so it can cleanse my soul and make me pure again.
