Asking for help Quote by Masaji Ishikawa
““We usually got up at five o’clock. For breakfast, we ate Chinese cabbage that we grew in our garden. It was boiled in water and thickened with cornstarch. Sounds pretty ghastly, right? It was. But if we could get down a bowlful of the stuff, it made our stomachs feel full. My father used to leave the house first. Then I’d carry my son off to try to find someone who could breast-feed him. I’d go from house to house, asking for help. I couldn’t pay anything, so all I could do was hope to find some kindhearted soul.””
About This Quote
Source Memoir: The Long Walk, Masaji Ishikawa, 1975
Describes humble survival through gardening, simple meals, and community help during hardship.
In simple terms: Survival through simple food and kindness.
Seek community support in tough times.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- poverty
- family
- garden
- neighbor assistance
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What resources could improve such lives?
- How does community aid change outcomes?
May romanticize hardship, ignoring systemic issues.