“Mma Ramotswe had a gift for the American woman, a basket which on her return journey from Bulawayo she had bought, on impulse, from a woman sitting by the side of the road in Francistown. The woman was desperate, and Mma Ramotswe, who did not need a basket, had bought it to help her. It was a traditional Botswana basket, with a design worked into the weaving."These little marks here are tears," she said. "The giraffe gives its tears to the women and they weave them into the basket."The American woman took the basket politely, in the proper Botswana way of receiving a gift with both hands. How rude were people who took a gift with one hand, as if snatching it from the donor; she knew better.You are very kind, Mma," she said. "But why did the giraffe give its tears?"Mma Ramotswe shrugged; she had never thought about it. "I suppose that it means that we can all give something," she said. "A giraffe has nothing else to give--only tears." Did it mean that? she wondered. And for a moment she imagined that she saw a giraffe peering down through the trees, its strange stilt-borne body among the leaves; and its moist velvet cheeks and liquid eyes; and she thought of all the beauty that there was in Africa, and of the laughter, and the love. The boy looked at the basket. "Is that true, Mma?"Mma Ramotswe smiled. "I hope so," she said.”
Example of Usage
In this passage from Alexander McCall Smith's novel, the idea of giving and receiving is beautifully portrayed through the gift of a traditional Botswana basket. The exchange between Mma Ramotswe and the American woman highlights the generosity and kindness found in everyday gestures.
Quote Analysis:
In this passage from Alexander McCall Smith's novel, "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," Mma Ramotswe demonstrates an act of kindness by purchasing a traditional Botswana basket from a woman in need. The symbolism of the tears woven into the basket by the women is highlighted, with the American woman questioning why the giraffe gives its tears. Mma Ramotswe reflects on the idea that even a giraffe, with nothing else to offer, can give something. This passage conveys themes of generosity, kindness, and the beauty of Africa.
The interaction between Mma Ramotswe and the American woman, as well as the reflection on the giraffe's tears, serves as a metaphor for the importance of giving and finding beauty and meaning in simple acts of kindness. The passage also evokes a sense of connection to nature and the richness of African culture.
Modern Relevance
In this passage from Alexander McCall Smith's novel, " The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," Mma Ramotswe demonstrates the value of kindness and giving, even in the smallest ways. The act of purchasing a basket to help a desperate woman reflects a sense of community and compassion that is timeless. In today's fast-paced world, it's important to remember the beauty and importance of simple acts of kindness and generosity. This passage serves as a reminder that we all have something to give, no matter how small it may seem.
Reflection Questions:
In this passage from Alexander McCall Smith's book, "Mma Ramotswe had a gift for the American woman," we see the themes of kindness, generosity, and the beauty of Africa. Reflecting on this passage, consider the following questions:
- How does the act of giving a gift reflect Mma Ramotswe's character and values?
- What significance do you think the giraffe's tears hold in the context of this story? How does this tie into the theme of giving?
- How does the image of the giraffe and the traditional Botswana basket contribute to the overall message of the passage?
- In what ways does this passage highlight the beauty and richness of Africa's culture and landscape?
- How does Mma Ramotswe's response to the American woman's question about the giraffe's tears reveal her outlook on life and generosity?
As you ponder these questions, think about the themes of kindness, generosity, and the interconnectedness of all living beings that are woven throughout this passage.
Similar quotes
“...this woman, moved by some private sorrow as much as the words being spoken, cried almost silently, unobserved by others, apart from Mma Ramotswe, who stretched out her hand and laid it on her shoulder. Do not cry, Mma, she began to whisper, but changed her words even as she uttered them, and said quietly, Yes, you can cry, Mma. We should not tell people not to weep - we do it because of our sympathy for them - but we should really tell them that their tears are justified and entirely right.”
“Mma Ramotswe had a detective agency in Africa, at the foot of Kgale Hill. These were its assets: a tiny white van, two desks, two chairs, a telephone, and an old typewriter. Then there was a teapot, in which Mma Ramotswe – the only lady private detective in Botswana – brewed redbush tea. And three mugs – one for herself, one for her secretary, and one for the client. What else does a detective agency really need? Detective agencies rely on human intuition and intelligence, both of which Mma Ramotswe had in abundance. No inventory would ever include those, of course.”
“You cannot divide a child's heart in two" she had observed to Mma Makutsi, "and yet that is what some people wish to do. A child has only one heart.""And the rest of us?" Mma Makutsi had asked. "Do we not have one heart too?"Mma Ramotswe nodded. "Yes, we have only one heart, but as you grow older you heart grows bigger. A child loves only one or two things; we love so many things.""Such as?"Mma Ramotswe smiled. "Botswana. Rain. Cattle. Friends. Our children. Our late relatives. The smell of woodsmoke in the morning. Red bush tea...”
“He looked at her in the darkness, at this woman who was everything to him-mother, Africa, wisdom, understanding, good things to eat, pumpkins, chicken, the white sky across the endless, endless bush, and the giraffe that cried, giving its tears for women to daub on their baskets; O Botswana, my country, my place.”
“Mma Ramotswe sighed. 'We are all tempted, Mma. We are all tempted when it comes to cake.'That is true,' said Mma Potokwane sadly. 'There are many temptations in this life, but cake is probably one of the biggest of them.”