Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Two World's Ridge
    Two World's Ridge
    Two World's Ridge
    Ebook126 pages1 hour

    Two World's Ridge

    By J.B. Patel

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Love in the Amish community has rigid boundaries, speaking out by females in church or ordinance meeting is forbidden. In this story, from the outset, Sarianna is at odds with the Bishop of a small and strict Swartzentruber Amish district.Sarianna breaks the Amish mold. In a male-dominated society, she is willing to stand up for children and those abused. In the Amish community one does not stand up, one blends in, or one is deemed bold. If one is bold, they suffer a fate worse than shunning; gossip, isolation, and rejection for an undetermined time. Sarianna further tests the ordinances when she falls in love with an English.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBookBaby
    Release dateApr 11, 2016
    ISBN9781483567358
    Two World's Ridge

    Read more from J.B. Patel

    Related to Two World's Ridge

    Related ebooks

    Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Aparajita

      Apr 20, 2021

      More than a year later when classes reopen, a vine of aparajita flowers (Asian pigeonwings) has thrown a blanket of purple petals over the arching school gates. Sharini’s classmates—hungry-eyed, giggling tenth-graders—spill under the floral canopy to

      3 min read

    • Article

      The Question About Elephants

      May 17, 2022

      The Question About Elephants
      2 min read

    • Article

      Sienna’s Monster

      Mar 10, 2021

      Sienna lived with a monster, but no one else knew it. The first time Sienna realized that her monster wasn’t like the rest was in 4th grade. The whole grade assembled in the auditorium. A police officer watched them enter from his place on the stage.

      26 min read

    • Article

      SIBLING Strength

      Sep 13, 2020

      SIBLING Strength
      2 min read

    • Article

      When Evil Came To Leeton

      May 11, 2020

      As the news of Stephanie’s disappearance spread, theories began to emerge. Sadly, as is often the case, there were some who speculated her fiancé might be involved. It’s human nature to have suspicions about those closest to a missing person. As the

      3 min read

    • Article

      Sienna’s Monster

      Sep 10, 2023

      Sienna lived with a monster, but no one else knew it. The first time Sienna realized her monster wasn’t like the rest was in fourth grade. The whole grade assembled in the auditorium. A police officer watched them enter from his place on the stage. H

      27 min read

    • Article

      FOREVER Friends

      May 31, 2023

      FOREVER Friends
      6 min read

    • Article

      Thank God Nothing Lasts Forever

      May 21, 2021

      Thank God Nothing Lasts Forever
      16 min read

    • Article

      Karina By The Lake

      Sep 16, 2019

      Karina By The Lake
      10 min read

    • Article

      On Making Friends With Raina Telgemeier

      Aug 26, 2019

      Our kids' books columnist Juanita Giles says the cartoonist Raina Telgemeier is almost like a personal friend to her own children, who fight over tattered copies of Telgemeier's graphic novels.

      4 min read

    • Article

      Hidol

      Aug 2, 2021

      It was hard to believe that they had argued so harshly over four enamel bowls. The battered old things weren’t worth anything or even especially pretty. They had flaked in several places and one had a spot so dark and unsightly, it looked like a rest

      6 min read

    • Article

      The Music Of Angels

      Sep 1, 2018

      The Music Of Angels
      7 min read

    • Article

      A Bad Hair Day

      Mar 1, 2023

      A Bad Hair Day
      6 min read

    • Article

      Saying Goodbye To Mary Danquah

      Feb 25, 2019

      Saying Goodbye To Mary Danquah
      7 min read

    • Article

      Poetry

      Jun 30, 2020

      Sara Borjas is a Xicanx pocha, a Fresno poet, and the author of Heart Like a Window, Mouth Like a Cliff (Noemi Press, 2019). She teaches at UC Riverside, lives in Los Angeles, and stays rooted in Fresno. We were walking down 1st St—a street I’ve only

      2 min read

    • Article

      A Bad Hair Day

      Mar 1, 2023

      A Bad Hair Day
      6 min read

    • Article

      Betsy, Tacy, Sejal, Tib

      May 22, 2020

      Betsy, Tacy, Sejal, Tib
      8 min read

    • Article

      A Story of Boy Meets Girl

      Dec 3, 2020

      A Story of Boy Meets Girl
      6 min read

    • Article

      A Risk That Worked: Talking About Race Head-on With Neighbors

      Sep 27, 2021

      When three neighbors – two white and one Black – talk about race, they learn the benefits of seeking, not to be understood, but to understand.

      4 min read

    • Article

      Last Rites

      Sep 15, 2019

      It was a little past four in the afternoon, the light softer now and more diffuse, the intensity of the day’s heat beginning to wane, and standing by himself in a corner of the garden Krishan was observing the people gathered in Rani’s house for the

      30 min read

    • Article

      One Night Of Fun One Deadly Outcome

      Jul 15, 2020

      One Night Of Fun One Deadly Outcome
      6 min read

    • Article

      Plan of ACTION

      Oct 3, 2023

      Plan of ACTION
      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Two World's Ridge

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Two World's Ridge - J.B. Patel

      ISBN: 978-1-4835673-5-8

      Content

      Two World’s Ridge

      This is a work of fiction, the basis is derived from actual Amish occurrences. I spoke with Amish ladies regarding the story’s accuracy, their response surprised me to the point where some of the narrative had to become harsher. The thwarting of women’s ability to speak out was greater than I thought. Amish women cannot speak in the twice yearly meeting of their ordinances or during church. They are forbidden to speak in church in their own defense or ordnung meeting to bring up issues important to females….

      In this story, from the outset, Sarianna is at odds with the Bishop of a small and strict Amish district. In reality, in the Amish community the Bishop would not have allowed the slightest retort from a female, never in church or meeting.

      In the story, Ruben, Sarianna’s father’s verbal response to the rape of fourteen year old Fanny (A fairly common Amish name.) was an exact repeat of what I had heard from an Amish man when I posed the question of an actual rape in the Amish community. The Amish gentleman shrugged indifferently, What is that?…was his response. As if the rape was nothing, it didn’t matter, as if the female’s involvement was inconsequential.

      Sarianna breaks the Amish mold. In a male dominated society she is willing to stand up for children and those abused. In the Amish community one does not stand up, one blends in or one is deemed bold. If one is bold, they suffer a fate worse than shunning; gossip, isolation, and rejection for an undetermined time.

      In the little Amish schoolhouse, Sarianna Miller closed her notebook, school was over for the day. It was Friday, sadly she thought, she had one more thing she felt compelled to do. She stood to dismiss the class, Scholars. It is time to go home. You have your assignments, I will see you on Monday. Next week is the final three days of school for the year. We will have graduation and a picnic on Wednesday. Give the invitation note to your family.

      Sarianna looked at 14-year-old Fanny Gingrich in the front row. Fanny was bothered by something, she hadn’t been working up to par for the past week. Sarianna smiled and said, Fanny. I’m going to stop at the store. Since the store is just past your house. You will come with me.

      Fanny’s eyes widened, Sarianna was sure she saw panic in in the face of Fanny. Pleading, with something akin to fear in her voice, Fanny quickly replied, Thank you Sarianna, but I don’t mind walking.

      Sarianna smiled and stepped close to Fanny. She needed to talk to Fanny alone. Quietly Sarianna said, The ride wasn’t a request, Fanny.

      Again with fear etched in her face Fanny pleaded, Can’t I walk?

      Sarianna hesitated, most of the scholars had left; Sarianna smiled and softly replied, Fanny. I want to talk to you about some of your school work. You will ride with me.

      Fanny seemed near tears, Sarianna thought she would get to the reasons behind Fanny’s distraction from her work. Sarianna said, Come on Fanny. Put your shoes on, you can help me hook up the buggy.

      Fanny was quiet, she seemed to be almost in pain as she expertly assisted in harnessing the horse and snapping harness lines onto the buggy. Once the buggy was hooked up Fanny slid quietly onto the seat with her eyes diverted. Sarianna thought there had been much change in Fanny in the past week. As they started down the road, Sarianna was direct, Fanny, you have been one of my best scholars the past three years. Please, tell me what is bothering you?

      Fanny suddenly burst into tears and sobbed uncontrollably. Sarianna put her arm around Fanny to reassure her. Sarianna knew that Fanny was a typical Amish girl, crying at her age was far from normal behavior, whatever the injury, it was severe. Sarianna slowed the horse to a walk considering that she may need some time alone with Fanny. Sarianna waited until Fanny calmed down before asking the question that seemed obvious to Sarianna. Fanny. Who did this to you? Who is responsible?

      Fanny shuddered then shook her head. After some time Fanny calmed a bit, still crying Fanny said, They said I can’t tell or they would blame me.

      Sarianna took an educated guess, Fanny was never out in the English community and Fanny talked of blame. The, ‘they,’ Fanny spoke of had to be Amish. A thing the young males sometimes got away with. Pinning the blame on the one that was harmed knowing that they would then not take the problem to the elders. Fanny wouldn’t be afraid to tell her story if ‘they’ were English. Fanny knew the English authorities would believe her, it was the Amish that were more likely to stand behind the young males in the community. Sarianna was saddened, even a fourteen year old knew that in the Amish community, the men ruled.

      Sarianna asked, There were two Amish?

      Fanny whimpered and nodded, but did not talk. Sarianna had a good idea who the culprits were but she doubted Fanny would admit their names. Sarianna asked, Daniel and Ivan Yoder?

      Fanny’s eyes widened, then she shook her lowered head in silent denial. Sarianna’s guess was confirmed, she continued, We should go to the authorities.

      Fanny’s fear was obvious, Go to the English?

      Sarianna knew that the Amish wanted to handle problems within their own district even if an English law was violated. Amish children were taught that the English were outsiders, not to be trusted. Amish ordinances prevented them from taking violations to the English authorities. Sarianna responded, The Amish are not above the Nation’s laws. We cannot protect rapists from punishment. If we don’t go to the authorities, Ben and Ivan will do it again to someone else.

      Fanny stopped crying but she was adamant, I can’t tell! I won’t tell!

      Sarianna gently asked, Why Fanny?

      Fanny had learned too well the way of the Amish. Fanny coldly replied, If I tell, everyone will talk. I will be thought of as bold and some will blame me.

      Sarianna understood the Amish way of squelching any opposition. Shunning was the easy way, an even worse method particularly amongst the women was gossip. Gossip could be organized to the point where the talk would be more effective and punitive than shunning. Sarianna knew the Amish to be a very tightknit community; gossip, a very powerful form of community rejection, could put one on the outside.

      Sarianna tried to assure Fanny, I will stand with you.

      Fanny’s head lowered, this time with a lack of pride she responded and touched on the power of Amish gossip, Sarianna, some say you are bold. They say…

      Sarianna wanted to keep Fanny talking. She asked, Yes Fanny? What do they say?

      Fanny vigorously shook her head, I can’t….

      Sarianna again probed, I think I’ve heard it all before many times. What do they say Fanny?

      Fanny fairly blurted, They say the reason you are not married is because you are bold. They say you always talk back to the Bishop and…

      Sarianna knew the rest but she pushed anyway, Yes? Go on.

      Fanny hung her head in shame and finished, They say you are bold, cross eyed, and you are going to be a lonely old maid all your life.

      Sarianna was saddened but she had heard the same thing from other children, Fanny, I have heard all of that ever since I can recall. I was told I was bold for speaking up at the last ordnung meeting asking for books, writing materials and printed materials for the scholars. I will not care if I am called bold for protecting my schoolchildren. I will stand with you. I am not afraid, and you are innocent. You are not to blame.

      Fanny was astounded, You spoke at the ordnung meeting? The Amish ordinances do not allow women to speak in church or during the semi-annual ordnung meeting.

      Sarianna smiled, Actually, I blurted out my request just as the meeting was ending. I got the materials, but the bishop told me I was being bold. Your parents and the parents of the other school children spoke up for me.

      Fanny seemed impressed but she continued to shake her head. Sarianna asked, Fanny. Did you tell your father or mother?

      Fanny shook her head. Sarianna added, Fanny. You have wonderful parents. They will help you, they will not blame you. If you become pregnant Fanny, you’ll have to tell your mother and father what happened.

      Fanny’s head slowly nodded, she started crying again. Sarianna asked, And if you are not pregnant, those boys will be able to rape you again if you don’t turn them in.

      Fanny shuddered at

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1