CHAPTER 4Sirah
The girl proved to be patient and a good teacher. I could not ask for anyone better to teach me her language and customs, and it was a most pleasant association for me, and I think for her, too.
We began with names. The girl pointed to herself and told me her name was “Sirah.” I smiled and repeated her name. It sounded wonderful upon my lips. She smiled, while the warrior who was also with her now, nodded. He hit his chest and said “Zaor.” I nodded, said his name, then pointed to myself and said “Jon Kirk.”
It was not long before we were pointing at a multitude of objects. Sirah would tell me their names, and I would repeat the strange sounds that made up what was her language. We did this day in and day out, working hour after hour.
It took at least a month of constant
