Three Cups of Tea
By: Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
“One mans mission to promote peace...one school at a time”
“When your heart speaks, take good notes”- Judith Campbell
“When your heart speaks, take good notes”- Judith Campbell
In 1993, Greg Mortenson an experienced mountain climber ventured to Pakistan in hopes to attempt to climb the second highest mountain in the world, the K2. Due to some circumstances he was unable to reach the top of the mountain and so on his descent downhill he lost his way and his porter. Being quite fatigued, sick and cold he wandered aimlessly to a village in a remote place in Pakistan known as Korphe. The people of the village took great care of him and nursed him back to health. Due to the great generosity and hospitality showed to him by the very poor people, the humbled Mortenson made a promise to the village leader, Haji Ali. In the short time that Mortenson spent in Korphe he soon learnt that there was no school for the children. As this dialogue between Hijai Ali and Mortenson describes the situation,
“Haji Ali, avoiding Mortensons eyes, said that the village had no school, and the Pakistani government didn’t provide a teacher. A teacher costs the equivalent of one dollar a day, he explained which was more than the village could afford” (Mortenson, 32).
This was the circumstance of the village and so the promise was a token of his appreciation and thankfulness for all of their assistance in his time of need. Moretnson promised Haji Ali, that one day he would come back to Korphe and build a school for the children. It is this promise, this bond that changes his life and the lives of the children of Korphe, forever. Because promises are sealed with a bond.
Mortenson then went back to the States to raise money to build the school in Korphe. On his way to building the school he is faced with trial, tribulations and heartbreaks. Many times because of the various difficulties that come into his path he thinks of giving up altogether but he never does. Mortenson continues to preserve. He believes in the following Persian proverb quite profoundly and it helps overcome the hard times, “When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Once Mortenson collects the amount he needs to start the building of his school through various fundraisers and sponsors he heads back to Korphe, Pakistan. The people of Korphe at first were quite skeptical of Mortenson’s return, but when he does return with the building supplies they are overjoyed and welcome him wholeheartedly. They are so happy because there is a chance that their children will be given what they have for so long been denied, education! The following describes how Haji Ali feels about education:
He picked up the dog-eared, grease spotted Koran and held it before the flames.
“Do you see how beautiful this Koran is?” Haji Ali asked.
“Yes.”
“I can’t read it”, he said. “I can’t read anything. This is the greatest sadness in my life. I’ll do
anything so the children of my village never have to know this feeling” (Mortenson, 153).
The main themes in the book are: the importance of education, persevering and working towards the betterment of humanity. The adhesive glue which brings everyone in the village together is the notion of a school; a building which will promote and pass on knowledge which will better their society. The desire to better their childrens lives is the driving force which pushes everyone in the village to help out Mortenson in every way that they can. This shows the reader that the desire and the wishes that the parents of the children in Korphe have are not unfamiliar to the wishes many of our own parents have for us. The parents in Korphe similar to most of our parents want a better life for their children and they are ready to make any sacrifice so that their children can have the finest. Suban Allah, I’m amazed how this yearning for knowledge brings people together throughout the world.
“Haji Ali, avoiding Mortensons eyes, said that the village had no school, and the Pakistani government didn’t provide a teacher. A teacher costs the equivalent of one dollar a day, he explained which was more than the village could afford” (Mortenson, 32).
This was the circumstance of the village and so the promise was a token of his appreciation and thankfulness for all of their assistance in his time of need. Moretnson promised Haji Ali, that one day he would come back to Korphe and build a school for the children. It is this promise, this bond that changes his life and the lives of the children of Korphe, forever. Because promises are sealed with a bond.
Mortenson then went back to the States to raise money to build the school in Korphe. On his way to building the school he is faced with trial, tribulations and heartbreaks. Many times because of the various difficulties that come into his path he thinks of giving up altogether but he never does. Mortenson continues to preserve. He believes in the following Persian proverb quite profoundly and it helps overcome the hard times, “When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” Once Mortenson collects the amount he needs to start the building of his school through various fundraisers and sponsors he heads back to Korphe, Pakistan. The people of Korphe at first were quite skeptical of Mortenson’s return, but when he does return with the building supplies they are overjoyed and welcome him wholeheartedly. They are so happy because there is a chance that their children will be given what they have for so long been denied, education! The following describes how Haji Ali feels about education:
He picked up the dog-eared, grease spotted Koran and held it before the flames.
“Do you see how beautiful this Koran is?” Haji Ali asked.
“Yes.”
“I can’t read it”, he said. “I can’t read anything. This is the greatest sadness in my life. I’ll do
anything so the children of my village never have to know this feeling” (Mortenson, 153).
The main themes in the book are: the importance of education, persevering and working towards the betterment of humanity. The adhesive glue which brings everyone in the village together is the notion of a school; a building which will promote and pass on knowledge which will better their society. The desire to better their childrens lives is the driving force which pushes everyone in the village to help out Mortenson in every way that they can. This shows the reader that the desire and the wishes that the parents of the children in Korphe have are not unfamiliar to the wishes many of our own parents have for us. The parents in Korphe similar to most of our parents want a better life for their children and they are ready to make any sacrifice so that their children can have the finest. Suban Allah, I’m amazed how this yearning for knowledge brings people together throughout the world.
Mortenson, is an embodiment of change and the positive impact one person can have on the world. The following saying by Rabindranath Tagore describes Mortenson quite eloquently, “Not hammer-strokes, but dance on the water, sings the pebbles into perfection”. Mortenson is the co-founder of central Asia Insitiute which is a non-profit organization. As of 2010 the organization has overseen and built over 171 schools in remote places of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Take a minute to think, this all began with one man’s promise to a village leader and now look at the amazing developments which are making the world a better place.
The title, Three Cups of Tea is taken from a Balti proverb but I’m not going to tell you the meaning behind the title, you have to read the book to find out!!
The title, Three Cups of Tea is taken from a Balti proverb but I’m not going to tell you the meaning behind the title, you have to read the book to find out!!
“I will build a school”, Mortenson said.
“I promise” ( Mottelson, 33).
Indeed, Mortenson does build a school.
Where children now have a future,
Where when they are presented with new notebooks or sharpeners
It truly lights up their world.
Children are now given a chance,
a simple chance; which can ultimately change their lives.
Greg Mortenson inspires me.
I wish that you too can become inspired by reading this amazing book.
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