Finding an Ocean

By Shuah Khan

Grounded in family and culture, Finding an Ocean is the compelling story of a young girl with a strong sense of belonging despite a constantly changing environment.

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In her vividly recalled childhood, Shuah Khan weaves memories of growing up across southeast India with stories handed down through generations. She was surrounded by adults who never passed up an opportunity to share their wisdom through storytelling. This rich oral tradition included the frequent use of proverbs, known as sametas in the Telugu language of southeast India. Stories based on proverbs teach important life lessons, interpersonal skills, and survival know-how. As one sameta says:

"Speech devoid of proverbs is like a house without a feast."

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Paradoxically, it is those strong family and cultural bonds that infuse the author with the confidence, security, and love to explore beyond her small villages and eventually cross the ocean.