How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
It was clear from the tone of his voice that he didn't want me around and didn't trust me. I looked at the curious and skeptical faces of the children and the woman. I was glad to see other faces and at the same time disappointed that the war had destroyed the enjoyment of the very experience of meeting people. Even a twelve-year-old couldn't be trusted anymore. (7.15)
Even little kids are a danger. This man has a family to protect and he has to think of them first. He can't worry about helping this unfamiliar boy. He's got to worry about his own little community first to survive.
Quote #5
"Everyone ran when they heard of the 'seven boys' on their way here. I couldn't run at all. So they left me behind. No one was willing to carry me and I didn't want to be a burden," he said.
We explained to him where we were from and where we wanted to go. He asked us to stay for a while and keep him company.
"You young fellows must be hungry. There are some yams in that hut over there. Can you boys cook some for me and yourselves?" he politely asked. When we were almost finished eating the yams, he said slowly, "My children, this country has lost its good heart. People don't trust each other anymore. Years ago, you would have been heartily welcomed in this village. I hope that you boys can find safety before this untrustworthiness and fear cause someone to harm you." (8.22-24)
This old man is one of the first kind people who Ishmael and his friends come into. The rest of the community has run from the "dangerous" boys, but the old man has no choice but to stay behind and wait to see what happens. He knows that the army's goal of destroying connections between people is working. If they can keep people afraid, they can keep right on killing. The old man seems to understand that children, especially, need to feel safety in their community.
Quote #6
The villagers had heard a rumor that some young people, believed to be rebels, were heading their way. Upon hearing this, they had armed themselves and hid, waiting to defend their homes and protect their families. This should not have been a big shock to us, but we didn't expect it to happen here, since we thought we were now far from harm. They asked us several questions along the lines of where were we from? where were we going? and why did we choose that direction? Alhaji, the tallest among us and sometimes mistaken for the oldest, tried to explain to the chief that we were just passing by. Afterward, the men yanked our torn crapes off our feet, untied us, and chased us out of their village, waving their spears and machetes, and screaming after us. (9.10)
In times of war, communities go on lockdown and chase strangers away. It becomes Us vs. Them.