One of the things I love about having several (individual and family) read-aloud books going at once is that even when I’m not reading much on my own, I’m still reading some great books! Our current lunch time read-aloud, Amos Fortune: Free Man by Elizabeth Yates, is the true story of an African prince who was kidnapped and sold as a slave in the United States in the 1700s. He was eventually given his freedom and used it to free others. Here is part of a conversation he had with his wife after a poor young girl who had been staying with them died.
“Once, long years ago, I thought I could set a canoe-load of my people free by breaking the bands at my wrists and killing the white man who held the weapon. I had the strength in my hands to do such a deed and I had the fire within, but I didn’t do it.”
“What held you back?”
Amos shook his head. ” My hand was restrained and I’m glad that it was, for the years between have shown me that it does a man no good to be free until he knows how to live, how to walk in step with God.”
“But Amos,” Violet exclaimed, “look at the people to whom you’ve given freedom! Lily and Lydia, Celyndia and me, and now you’ve set Polly free to die happy.”
“And go on living,” he reminded her gently.
“How is it you’re thinking of these things tonight?” she asked him. “Never before have you told me about that canoe-load of your people.”
“I used to see Africa in Polly’s eyes,” he said, “the past and its sorrows and all that was behind, but I’ve not seen what was ahead for us until just now. Perhaps I saw that in her eyes, too. It’s good, Violet. It will be worth the waiting for.”
Wednesdays with Words is hosted by ladydusk.
That is powerful! I want to read that book. Thanks!