"One's Man Mission to Promote Peace, One School at a Time"
5.“The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die.”
-Haji Ali pg.
I believe this quote best describes Greg and Haji Ali's relationship because Greg had a lot to learn about life and the way things are done in Balti. I think what Haji Ali meant by this quote is it doesn't mean once you share three cups of tea with a person you instantly become a family but by sharing cups of tea you get to know a person on a deeper level. Once Greg started building the school he forgot about the main reason he was actually in Pakistan and only focused on getting the school built as fast as possible and spending as little money as possible. However, Haji Ali was able to remind Greg, that it is about making connections with people slowly that will result in success than pushing to get everything done at once. The picture on the left is of Greg who is on the right, Haji Ali who is in the center and other Balti villagers. Haji Ali's wisdom was able to help Greg succeed in his goals and he also showed Mortenson that they are family and for his family he will be prepared to do anything, which Haji Ali demonstrated a lot throughout the book when he offered his guidance and home to Greg.