I just came back from meeting with Hanan, but dont' be fooled; This isn't a conversation partner post. Instead, It seemed fitting to talk a little bit with Hanan about our multi-faceted friend Juha as an extension of our reading.
Hanan and Ryan said that Juha was an intertwined part of their childhood. The stories were told by all people in all kinds of situations, much like the introduction stated. She said they were just "weird, little stories the old people told. There was always a donkey." They didn't really talk about the stories particularly fondly, but just as something that was. This lead to a conversation about other more beloved childhood stories: Aladdin, Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Sleeping Beauty, and others.
They said these stories conveyed important lessons about success, discovery, and how to treat people. They told valuable lessons that were easier for children to understand and want to listen to. Of course, not all of the Juha stories we read were child-friendly, but I think there is a good deal of truth in our greater willingness to pay attention to interesting anecdotes, even as we get older.
I found the Tales of Juha to be interesting, but not necessarily enjoyable. I can imagine thinking fondly of them if my grandparent had told them to me, but as a newcomer to the Tales of Juha, I didn't find them particularly relatable or captivating. I do value them as insight into the important nature of storytelling, as well as gaining a footing on Arabian cultural perspective.
THERE IS ALWAYS A DONKEY! I like how you said the stories were just something that "was." I can see Juha having that effect on people. I personally didn't like or dislike Juha. It was easy enough to read that I liked it, but the messages and stories did not leave a lasting impression on me. I agree that maybe if they were a part of my culture, I would care more, but I simply cannot relate to an Arab misogynist who loves donkeys.
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