Mementos

The carving of the hut isn't very well done, but given that the sculptor didn't have all of his fingers, or good use of the rest, you can let that slide. But without knowing that this came from a leprosarium and represented the inmates efforts to support themselves, at best you'd think "An interesting tropical wood."

The place looked like other villages, though in retrospect there weren't any kids there that I noticed. We were on a tour, and had several other places to visit. This one sounded more interesting than it was. To me, anyway.

My mother bought it for me. I was a bit dubious--could one catch leprosy from an object?

I asked about the place (in Ganta, I think) a few years later, and was told it was closed. That report must have been either mistaken or temporary; it is still going.

I don't think this memento will mean much of anything, even with its story, to anybody but me. Perhaps it already served its purpose--earning a little money for a crippled sculptor.

What should come next for it? I can't imagine the kids arguing over it (wouldn't want them to anyway). It's value seems to be tied to me.