Photo: El Cabildo © Preyes (Wikimedia Commons)
“Where are we going, Papi?” Ramon clung to his father’s belt.
“You’ll see.”
“But it’s a school-day, Papi.” If there was something — other than Jesus — that his parents held sacred, it was education. Though poor, his parents always managed to supply what he needed for school. In turn Ramon was expected to learn well and listen to his teachers. Skipping classes went against everything he understood.
“It will still be a day of learning,” Papi pedaled steadily over muddy paths, narrow roads, and into the city.
Ramon held on, in awe of his father’s ability to find his way in the maze.
A grand peach-colored building manifested.
“A palace, Papi?”
“A museum.”
“Of what?”
“Of us.”
Ramon shook his head. Museums are for the dead.
“We’re native Paraguayans, son. El Cabido is dedicated to our heritage. Our music. Our crafts. Today your school is the history of who you are.”
For What Pegman Saw: Asucion, Paraguay
Na'ama Yehuda 
That was wonderful, Na’ama.
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Yay! Thank you, Dale! I do love museums and I think that too many schools don’t teach enough of the indigenous history besides (and I don’t mean the sanitized or patronizing kind, which is sometimes sort-of-taught but not in substance and certainly not enough). So, any time one can help supplement the generic education with some facts of history and actual connection to one’s own roots, and to the roots of others, it is a schooling worthy of missing some classes …
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I could not agree more.
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🙂
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Awesome!
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Thank you, Betul! 🙂
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So much can be learned from a museum, especially one devoted to cultural and ethnic history. They are no longer simply repositories for relics and curiosities.
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Indeed! I think that even when they were repositories for relics and curiosities, once they were open to the public, they became a source of education, even about relics and curiosities … which then opens the imagination and the thirst for knowing more about where these relics and curiosities come from and what they represent and to whom and where and when … and … 😉 (can you tell I love museums!?) 😉
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One wonders how many early fantasy stories were inspired by such curiosities. 🙂
And yea, I can tell. But that’s you and me both. And I live right next door to one.
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Yay to you! How fun! What kind of a museum are you next to? I’m fortunate to be within walking distance (or a brief subway/bus ride) from many museums. Not quite next door … but accessible, which is such a blessing. I love going and I go often! 🙂
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My place abutts an Elizabethan House (my place is also an Elizabethan house, but not a museum), so it’s mostly social history with an emphasis on the Tudor and Jacobean periods through to the Georgian.
There’s also a Tide & Time museum nearby which covers the fishing industry (which is no more) and related topics; a Nelson Museum… you’ve guessed it, Horatio played here; and the Tolhouse, the town’s former gaol with a focus on local history through to WWII. Then there’s one that’s never been open when I’ve tried… which relates to the wool trader and weaving. But for that it’s best to go into Norwich (20 miles away ) where there’s a study centre and a museum. And I could spend my life in there! I love textiles.
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WOW! I think I need to add to my bucket list (need more buckets!) 🙂
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These are only small museums, not exactly in the line of the V&A in London (which, btw, is my favourite)
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It’s been EONS since I’d been to the V&A — I hadn’t been to London in over 20 years … oy vey! I’m hoping to make a trip to the UK in the next year, or the following. If I spend time in London it will surely include the V&A and other museums. 🙂
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Well I confess, it’s probably as long for me. Though I used to be a regular visitor there.
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🙂 Well, the good thing is that the old-old things will still be there and the new-old things will have time to arrive … 😉
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Yep, tis true. And when the time comes, enjoy your visit
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Thank you! 🙂 It’ll be a while, so in the meanwhile I’ll fill my museum cravings with the NYC offerings … 😉
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🙂
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Beautifully written. I do love museums myself and would spend hours and hours if I go into one. My Father often jokes that I am a “researcher” but I do love to learn about the mysteries and cultures and traditions of the world. The world is filled with so many amazing things and I love to know them. It’s really great story!
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Thank you, Dragon Writer! 🙂 Yes, I find museums fascinating, too! So much to learn and understand, even as I know that what is IN the exhibits is literally curated (i.e. chosen selectively and with at the very least some bias of the people who make the decisions about what is the ‘best’ to display at the time) and thus a tip of the iceberg of the reality of the people, things, times, history, culture, etc that’s being represented. Still, so much to learn! 🙂
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I couldn’t agree more. 🙂
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🙂 Thanks!
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❤ 🙂
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I like the way you draw us into the story through the dialogue between father and son. It goes without saying that I agree with the sentiments! Nice piece, Na’ama
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Thank you, Penny! 🙂 I am so glad you agree, too! 🙂
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What wonders are in store for Ramon. I love your take on the prompt.
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I’m glad you liked it! And, yes…about Ramon!
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