I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou

Laughter so easily turns to hysteria for imaginative children.

Whatever was given by Black people to other Blacks was most probably needed as desperately by the donor as by the receiver. A fact which made the giving or receiving a rich exchange.

Her smile widened her mouth beyond her cheeks beyond her ears and seemingly through the walls to the street outside.

and liked each other so much that they never needed to learn the art of making outside friends.

Moving from the house where the family was centered meant absolutely nothing to me. It was simply a small pattern in the grand design of our lives.

Their decision to be satisfied with life's inequities was a lesson for me.

Into this cocoon I crept.

So I was not so much forgiven as I was understood.

She said that I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy.

“Charity don't go around saying ‘I give you food and I give you clothes and by rights you ought to thank me.’”

after all, girls have to giggle, and after being a woman for three years I was about to become a girl.

Hadn't I, always, but ever and ever, thought that life was just one great risk for the living?

At fifteen life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice.

Without willing it, I had gone from being ignorant of being ignorant to being aware of being aware.