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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…” quote by Masaji Ishikawa
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““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.””

Masaji Ishikawa

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.

Key Takeaway

Seek community support in tough times.

Themes

survival community humility

Mood

hopeful reflective

Type

memoir inspirational

When to use this quote

  • poverty
  • family
  • garden
  • neighbor assistance

Key Concepts

sociology resilience

Questions to Reflect On

  • What resources could improve such lives?
  • How does community aid change outcomes?
A Different Perspective

May romanticize hardship, ignoring systemic issues.

2.1 out of 5 (9 ratings)

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