Sheba's Song - Softcover

J. A. Harbison

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0972727906 ISBN 13: 9780972727907

Publisher: WorldChristian Books, 2002

Synopsis

The Story of an Indian Girl and her American Sponsor

Sheba is a little girl growing up in a slum in Madras (now called Chennai). Her life changes when a farmer in America decides to sponsor her education. From the age of eight to sixteen, Sheba studies in an English medium school and becomes aware that life has so much more to offer if only she can escape being married off early. The pangs of growing up are sensitively chronicled. Sheba must battle a society in which the odds are always stacked against women. Much like any other girl, she deals with maintaining her grades, an unwanted suitor, being misunderstood by her parents and her own conflicting desires and dreams.

Alongside Sheba's story is a parallel plot: the life of Clayton Crenshaw, Sheba's sponsor from a small town in Iowa, America. Through his letters, written faithfully over his years of sponsorship, Sheba comes to know an ordinary man and his family who sought to do something extraordinary by helping an unknown girl in a faraway land. Written in an informal, chatty manner, his letters offer her encouragement far beyond mere finances. They also afford Sheba a glimpse into the life of a simple, hardworking, god-fearing farmer.

The book is written in hindsight. Sheba finds Mr. Crenshaw's letters many years later. She is now a mother and teacher. Upon rereading his letters, she feels the urge to tell Mr.Crenshaw her story; to express now, all that she could never have expressed as a child. The ensuing tale is Sheba's Song.

About this title

About the Author

Joe Harbison has lived and worked in South and South East Asia for over twenty years. He and his wife have been involved in social development programs including work in HIV/AIDS and programs for orphaned girls in northern Thailand as well as in Africa and the Middle East. Joe has a Doctorate degree from Fuller Seminary and lives with his family in Port Hueneme, CA.

From the Inside Flap

My stinging behind reminded me that I would suffer more injury if I didn't hurry and fulfill my mother's errand. We ran to Mr. Jagan's tiny stall that served as provision shop, pharmacy, and local bar. As he dispensed fresh milk from a large aluminum can kept in a shady corner of the store, Mr Jagan asked, "Are you girls behaving yourselves?"
"Certainly, Mr. Jagan. We're doing good deeds today!" was Chopu's rather duplicitous reply.
I paid for the warm foamy milk. It would be diluted, one part milk to four parts water, for my baby sister who was being weaned from Amma's milk.
Arriving home, I heard Amma's anxious voice. "Where have you girls been? Not talking to your sisters in the well I hope!"
"How does she know about the sisters?" I thought.
It always unnerved me to find that Amma knew more than I thought she did. Fortunately, she wasn't angry with me for being late since little Kalyani had slept the whole morning.
I realize Mr. Crenshaw, that I cannot recall my mother ever being relaxed. I think, she only rested when she was asleep. When she wasn't cooking, cleaning, washing, or seeing to us children, she wove baskets. Each basket sold for a rupee at the Perambur Palm Project where Appa worked.
As she took the milk from me, Amma said that Chopu's mother had come by the house.
"Your mother's a bundle of nerves," she told Chopu. "This evening a prospective bridegroom and his family are coming to bride-see."
This news had an electrifying effect on Chopu. "We're having a bride-seeing visit!" she whooped and ran off in a cloud of dust.
I gather that this tradition is completely alien to your Western courting traditions, Mr. Crenshaw. However, in Indian households with daughters, the 'bride-see' ceremony is anticipated with much trepidation.
The 'bride-see' event is nearly as important as the marriage ceremony itself. Without a successful bride-seeing, there is no marriage; without a marriage, there remains one more mouth to feed.
It was difficult to believe that Chopu's elder sister, Chelvi, was ready for bride-seeing! At fourteen, she seemed quite grown-up to us ten-year-olds, but she was still tiny compared to the adults.

Edition details

• Publisher: WorldChristian Books
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0972727906
• ISBN 13: 9780972727907
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 183