A tale of two sons
A view from inside our house There once was a man who had two sons. He went to the older one and said, "go work in my field today." The older son said, "I won't go." But later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the younger son and said the same thing. The younger one said, "okay, I'll go." But he never went. Which son did his father's will? Which is better: to continue in a bad decision, or to change your mind and do what is right? A local view This is a story that I translated this week and discussed with my language helpers. I was drawn to this story after reading a book about honor/shame-based societies. Whereas North American cultural interaction is based on the idea of right and wrong (guilt-based society), societies like the one I'm living in now interact on the basis of honor-- how can I give honor where it is due and be a person to whom honor is due? How do I prevent myself and my family from being shamed? Why is this ...