‘Cakwa∙’ak lives in two worlds. White-man’s world – the one his mother gave him – is crammed with noise, lights, money and women ready to raise their skirts for him. Except for the sounds of ravens and breaching whales, whispering winds and the scent of salt, Native American world – his father’s world – is quiet. The passage between them is jagged and sharp. ‘Cakwa∙’ak can’t spend too much time in either.
Which does he prefer? A hard question. When he answers, “Comfort compared to strife,” with a resigned shrug of his shoulders, the listener must decide which world is which.
Up From the Ashes 
To be caught in between two worlds is becoming all to common.. for some it’s a burden for others a bliss. Having just one world among a world of mixed heritages I almost feel that I lack something…
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I’m with you on that Bjorn. The nice thing is, the world is getting smaller, people more diverse. Now if we can just learn to accept one another.
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Ooh, love the ending! Nice touch, not to take sides, acknowledging that the same world can be seen from such different perspectives.
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Thanks. I’m glad you liked the end.
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Thought provoking and enjoyable. Nice story.
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Thanks, Graham.
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Maybe it’s progress that there isn’t a clean line between different worlds and backgrounds, that there isn’t a clear decision on which is better. I, personally, like it that way as long as cultural diversity isn’t suppressed by force. By my rambling, you can tell that I love your story. 😉
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Not rambling, just great thoughts. Thanks for reading and leaving such a lovely comment.
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Indeed. Either side could be comfort or strife. We get to choose, don’t you think? In either one we could make it one or the other
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I go crazy in cities, and know people you who can’t stand the wilderness. To each his/her own. Thanks for reading and commenting,
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Walls stop the people from entering our spaces but they also stop us from going out.
Liked your introspective perspective .
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Thank you. Walls can be a comfort or a curse.
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Dear Alicia,
It seems peace would be preferred over strife. But then, there’s a certain exhilaration that comes from the fast paced life. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It all depends on what brings peace and what stirs strife. Some people aren’t comfortable unless they’re surrounded by noise and people, some need the sounds and smells of nature. Thanks for reading, Rochelle.
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There’s a challenging question there. Bravo.
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It would be, wouldn’t it? Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Pure genius — lovely perspective, beautiful contrasts, tension between two worlds, a choice (and we have to decide what constitutes “comfort.”
I really, really liked this story.
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You are always so kind. Thanks for reading. Alicia
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Nicely done. This photo is a great example of two very different worlds.
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Thank you, Lorna, that’s all I could see when I opened the prompt ~ two worlds, crazy and not.
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I’m reminded of the story of the Eskimo chief who said that Good and Evil were like two wolves fighting inside him. “Which one wins?” someone asked. “The one I feed the most,” he answered.
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Good answer! Thanks for reading, Russell.
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Love the POV’s you have presented here.
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Thanks, Dawn. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have to choose between (and be accepted by) two diverse cultures.
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Clever. “Comfort over strife” – wonderfully uncertain.
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Thanks, I’m glad you read Two Worlds and noted his dilemma.
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Comfort over strife. Sounds like a wise choice. Great story, Alicia!
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Thank you, Jan
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Love the way you created both perspectives. Very thought provoking.
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I think in a situation like this there must be at least two perspectives, if not more.
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Caught between two worlds. It would be nice to have another world which is a good balance of the two!
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Yes, it would be nice! I hadn’t thought of that.
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Such a deep story, very thought provoking. Who knows what is comfort and what is strife in today’s world. An excellent story, Alicia.
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Thanks so much. Alicia
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I’m always so impressed with the way you capture other ethnicities and cultures, Alicia… walking that fine line between cliché and authenticity; you do it so well! Really enjoyed this.
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Thanks, Dawn. I graduated college with a Cultural Anthropology degree and did archaeology for ten years. I guess it gave me some insight ~ both positive and negative. I appreciate your kind words. They made me smile. (P.S. your grandbaby ~ is that a word ~ is one cute little guy!)
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Aha! No wonder you get such wonderful details in these stories, Alicia. So interesting… and well… It is a word now. 😉
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I imagine Native Americans are caught between two worlds pretty often. Personally, I like their world better. Beautifully written story. Nice job!
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ME TOO! Amy. I just took a class on Native American culture and their ideas about the balance between man and nature makes SO much sense. I always appreciate your stopping by.
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Great descriptions – the contrasts between his two worlds are poignant. I love the uncertainty of the ending – his shrug of resignation, and the ambiguity of his reply are perfect to capture his situation.
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Thank you, Margaret, and thanks for leaving such a lovely comment.
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I’d choose the quiet, great story though, very thoughtful!
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Me, too, but I know gobs of people who can’t stand the wilderness. Thanks for reading.
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“Lady or the Tiger” like switch, it could be argued either way. Nicely done ambiguity. I probably would find a way not to like either!
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Or enjoy both! Glad you stopped by, Perry.
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This was a wonderful interpretation of the prompt! Loved the ending – and how it all was so well constructed in your writing. 🙂
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Thank you! I appreciate your reading Two Worlds and leaving such a thoughtful comment.
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😀
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Beautiful and with so much depth. This can be read in so many ways. Thought-provoking for sure.
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Thanks, Ula, for reading and leaving such a lovely comment.
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