A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story

by Linda Sue Park

Salva had no answer. He had hoped that the woman might have some answers for him; after all, she was an adult. Instead, she had only questions. Everything was upside down.

“Wherever it is you walk, just be sure to walk away from the fighting.”

After only a few minutes, Salva had to kick off the flapping shreds and continue barefoot.

The time for grief was short, and the walking began again soon after dark.

He could not think of any other explanation for the way he felt. But there was no doubt: Beneath his terrible sadness, he felt stronger.

Salva realized that being forced under the water had probably saved his life.

Stay calm when things are hard or not going right with you. You will get through it when you persevere instead of quitting. Quitting leads to much less happiness in life than perseverance and hope.