A Single Shard

I am glad that I finally got to start reading a book of my own selection (not one for class). I bought several chapter books a while back at a book sale - most of them honor books - for my future classroom; I selected one of these books to read. The one I selected was A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. I had never read this book before, but it is a Newbery medal book. Therefore, I figured it had to be a great book. I just started reading it yesterday and have read around 90-100 minutes already. It is such a great book and makes me feel very thankful for everything I have in my life. This story begins with a young orphan boy named Tree-ear and his best friend/guardian Crane-man living under their bridge space. I found out that he was given the name Tree-ear because it is a mushroom that does not grow from a parent seed. Crane-man believed this would be a suitable name for the orphan that did not have a name when he was dropped off under the bridge at age 2. He was only supposed to be dropped off temporarily until the monks had gotten rid of their bout of fever, but Tree-ear refused to go with the monks when they came for him and clung to Crane-man's one good leg (the other is twisted and shriveled from birth). This made me feel deeply saddened yet good at the same time because I loved that Tree-ear decided to stay with Crane-man since he is a great guy who was dealt a bad deal of disasters in his life. Crane-man was once somewhat wealthy, but his family died off one by one, leaving him alone and unable to do work due to his handicap. Therefore, Crane-man had to sell everything one by one in order to survive, eventually his home as well. Still, Crane-man is always looking at the positives of life and never once glimpsing at the negatives. He is thankful and appreciative for everything he is blessed with in his life (which is not very much). Tree-ear learns much from Crane-man as well. He is constantly wondering if his actions would be what Crane-man would do. Back to the story... Tree-ear is awed by watching potters during their throwing of pots, especially an older man named Min. Min is one of the best potters in the village - if not one of the best in the country. Tree-ear decides to examine one of his creations and accidentally drops and breaks it when he is startled by Min. He begs to please be able to repay him, and Min allows him to work for him for nine days as his form of repayment. He has to do lots of the dirty work, such as chopping wood all day, gathering clay all day, etc. Once his nine days are up, however, Tree-ear wishes to continue serving Min since he feels that his life has meaning now. Min allows him to continue working for him without pay, but Tree-ear is enthused with the idea of serving such a master potter. He now receives food during mid-day from Min's wife and decides to hide half of his portion because he wants to be able to share the food with Crane-man at the end of the day (which is what Crane-man would do for him). I found this to be inspiring, thoughtful, unselfish, but still sad all at the same time. The entire time I read this book I cannot help but to feel sad for Tree-ear and Crane-man. They are great people who were just unfortunate with their life dealings. I feel that many people can learn from both of these characters' lives. Our world is too caught up in personal indulgence and selfishness (I am many times guilty of this as well). I just really love that these two poverty-stricken people do not beg or moan about anything; they feel gracious for every little thing they are given in life. I especially felt overwhelmed - both with joy and sadness - when Tree-ear discovers his bowl is now being completely refilled when he finds it at the end of the day under his rock. Min and his wife are great people and are helping him out vastly. Tree-ear longs to eat all his food at mid-day meal, but does not want to take advantage of these kind people. There are just too many great aspects to this book, and I am just getting started in it. I cannot wait to see what I will find out next.