Point of view: Willing to be taken

Traveling in the Peruvian Andes, I came across numerous groups of extremely cute children decked head to toe in traditional outfits and often holding small animals. Their clothing - eclectic combinations of garments that I suspect were not meant to be worn at the same time (or even in the same season) - was matched by a Noah's Ark-like entourage of animals ranging from baby llamas to pet parrots and everything in between. My personal favorite: a stuffed Pokémon figure. Even though I was onto their postmodern tableau vivant business, their wide smiles and glittering eyes invited me to snap a picture.

Once I'd committed to taking a photograph, they'd gather with the choreographed precision of the Bolshoi. It took 1/125th of a second for the camera shutter to do its thing and 1/126th of a second for the children's hands to be thrust forward, gesturing for money. At that point their faces projected all the charm of a creditor whose bill is long overdue. After a few days I knew the routine, but still I kept a pocketful of coins handy for such occasions. Theirs was a powerful lure. I could not refuse it.

You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to Point of view: Willing to be taken
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0405/p18s04-hfes.html
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us