Sand and the Strange Box

“My name is Amna, and I am eight years old. Mama told me my name means ‘The One Who is Peaceful.’ She named me Amna because when I was born, I hardly made a sound. I just laid there and sucked my thumb. Mama often reminds me of my name. In fact, she never stops…I watched with wide eyes as they shoveled the gravel and sand into the strange box and later poured a glass of dirty water in the top. It took forever, but the water came out clear instead of brown.”

– Article Excerpt