magnitude, striking ten miles away from Port-au-Prince. Residences, hospitals, schools, and several other structures have collapsed. Millions are probably displaced. Tens of thousands are feared dead,” reported the newscaster on CNN news.
“Look! All of those houses - gone!” Henry shrieked, lacking compassion and sounding more like an excited child at a circus.
“ World relief programs have already organized to build camps for the millions without homes…” continued the reporter on television.
“My neighbor says the country is really poor. And did you kn ow that a lot of them practice V oodoo,” announced Jake, feeling like an expert o n the subject.
“What’s that?” asked Henry.
The conversation sparked interest throughout the class. As the center of attention, Jake felt both fearful and wonderful.
“Well, it’s a religion. It comes from Africa when the slaves were captured and brought overseas. They kept it going and changed it a little over the years.”
“It’s when you make a doll of someone you hate and stick pins in it,” said Lisa, trying to steal Jake’s thunder.
“That’s only part of it. It’s a whole religion with gods, and sacrifices, prayers. They even have their own symbols and rituals and music,” Jake snapped.
“Do they believe in God?” asked Henry.
“Not the Christian God you all are used to,” answered Jake.
“I’m so impressed with your expertise. And Jake is right. All of you need to be respectful and tolerant of other religions. Not everyone is a Christian,” commented Mrs. Powis . Throughout the years Mrs. Powis had become Jake’s favorite teacher due to his constant stints inside of the Zoo .
“Mrs. Powis , I’m an expert on World War Two. Maybe even Vietnam and Korea. I mean, I know more about those wars than everyone here. For instance, did you know that FDR…” Henry interjected. His knowledge was eclipsed by Jake’s. The other students cut him off and continued asking V oodoo questions.
“But I though t V oodoo came from Louisiana,” challenged Matt, another regular ISS attender who Jake disliked.
“That’s Creole. And it’s a lot different,” he answered, annoyed.
“You’re just woofing. You don’t know shhh …” Matt said, almost swearing in front of the teacher. Jake knew the boy was trying to undermine him.
The class went from a manageable volume level to really loud.
“Jake, thanks for enlightening us,” Mrs. Powis yelled. “All of you are way too loud. Time to settle down. I’ll turn up the volume a little so that we can all listen. You’re welcome to grab a puzzle, stare into space, whatever, as long as you are quiet. If all goes well the rest of the afternoon, tomorrow we can watch about Haiti.”
The TV was a powerful incentive. Everyone silently watched more footage about the earthquake disaster.
After the last bell of the day rang, Henry followed Jake to his locker.
“H ow did you know all about that V oodoo religion?” Henry asked.
Again, Jake found himself wanting to laugh at the boy’s weird sincerity, but refrained. “My neighbor. I’m going to visit him after school to see if he got a hold of his family.”
“Can I come with you? I want to meet him. My mom picks me up. She can drive us to your house and get me later.”
Jake found the idea tempting. “What the hell, Henry. Could use the ride. Takes forty-five minutes on the bus and I’m only ten minutes from the school.”
“Follow me to the back entrance.” Henry hurriedly walked through throngs of students to the other side of the school.
Jake saw a tiny, young woman reading a book parked in front of the entrance. “That your mom?” Henry nodded. “You adopted?” Henry looked confused. “Kidding. C’mon, let’s go.”
“Mom, this is Jake. Take us to his place. You can pick me up before dinner. We are going to hang out with his
“Look! All of those houses - gone!” Henry shrieked, lacking compassion and sounding more like an excited child at a circus.
“ World relief programs have already organized to build camps for the millions without homes…” continued the reporter on television.
“My neighbor says the country is really poor. And did you kn ow that a lot of them practice V oodoo,” announced Jake, feeling like an expert o n the subject.
“What’s that?” asked Henry.
The conversation sparked interest throughout the class. As the center of attention, Jake felt both fearful and wonderful.
“Well, it’s a religion. It comes from Africa when the slaves were captured and brought overseas. They kept it going and changed it a little over the years.”
“It’s when you make a doll of someone you hate and stick pins in it,” said Lisa, trying to steal Jake’s thunder.
“That’s only part of it. It’s a whole religion with gods, and sacrifices, prayers. They even have their own symbols and rituals and music,” Jake snapped.
“Do they believe in God?” asked Henry.
“Not the Christian God you all are used to,” answered Jake.
“I’m so impressed with your expertise. And Jake is right. All of you need to be respectful and tolerant of other religions. Not everyone is a Christian,” commented Mrs. Powis . Throughout the years Mrs. Powis had become Jake’s favorite teacher due to his constant stints inside of the Zoo .
“Mrs. Powis , I’m an expert on World War Two. Maybe even Vietnam and Korea. I mean, I know more about those wars than everyone here. For instance, did you know that FDR…” Henry interjected. His knowledge was eclipsed by Jake’s. The other students cut him off and continued asking V oodoo questions.
“But I though t V oodoo came from Louisiana,” challenged Matt, another regular ISS attender who Jake disliked.
“That’s Creole. And it’s a lot different,” he answered, annoyed.
“You’re just woofing. You don’t know shhh …” Matt said, almost swearing in front of the teacher. Jake knew the boy was trying to undermine him.
The class went from a manageable volume level to really loud.
“Jake, thanks for enlightening us,” Mrs. Powis yelled. “All of you are way too loud. Time to settle down. I’ll turn up the volume a little so that we can all listen. You’re welcome to grab a puzzle, stare into space, whatever, as long as you are quiet. If all goes well the rest of the afternoon, tomorrow we can watch about Haiti.”
The TV was a powerful incentive. Everyone silently watched more footage about the earthquake disaster.
After the last bell of the day rang, Henry followed Jake to his locker.
“H ow did you know all about that V oodoo religion?” Henry asked.
Again, Jake found himself wanting to laugh at the boy’s weird sincerity, but refrained. “My neighbor. I’m going to visit him after school to see if he got a hold of his family.”
“Can I come with you? I want to meet him. My mom picks me up. She can drive us to your house and get me later.”
Jake found the idea tempting. “What the hell, Henry. Could use the ride. Takes forty-five minutes on the bus and I’m only ten minutes from the school.”
“Follow me to the back entrance.” Henry hurriedly walked through throngs of students to the other side of the school.
Jake saw a tiny, young woman reading a book parked in front of the entrance. “That your mom?” Henry nodded. “You adopted?” Henry looked confused. “Kidding. C’mon, let’s go.”
“Mom, this is Jake. Take us to his place. You can pick me up before dinner. We are going to hang out with his
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