Read the story below and summarize it I am the daughter of the great Neiterkob, the father of the Maasai tribe in Africa. You might think that this makes me special, but my father believes that I should live just like the rest of the tribe. Thus, he sends me to look after our tribe’s cattle with the other daughters and sons. These cattle are sacred, because they are actually a divine gift from the sky god, Enkai. Our tribe makes a living by caring for the cattle, feeding them, and protecting them.

Whenever we eat the meat of a cow or drink its milk, we become one with our god. When we have rituals or community celebrations, I have to bring the cattle, because their presence is essential. My job is important, so I work hard to do it well, even though the cattle can sometimes be troublesome.

Our relationship with Enkai is essential to the tribe. Enkai is neither male nor female. The sky god is powerful, but can change from nurturing to vengeful depending on our behavior. Sometimes Enkai is Enkai Narok, the Black God, happy with us and blanketing the sky with dark clouds that pour out rain to nourish the plains. When angry, though, Enkai becomes Enkai Nonyokie—the Red God. In these times, the sun grows incredibly hot until the earth dries up and becomes barren. Because of this, we work to keep Enkai happy.

My life must sound so different from yours. Perhaps I should tell you another story to explain why we Maasai live this way.