Final Thoughts

Omishto's decision to live at the place above Kili represents hope for the survival of the Taiga people and the Florida panther. I was pleased with the decision Omishto made, and I realized that I would have been disappointed if she decided to live in the world we are accustomed to. This made me question my own views, choices, and lifestyle in comparison to the ancient world Omishto decided to live in.

I feel that the final paragraph is optimistic in the sense that this one 16 year old girl represents the renewal of nature and the Taiga people. Realistically I find this idea impossible, but at the same time I find myself believing in the possibility. It is disheartening to consider the impact modernization has had on nature and the historical events that lead to the destruction of many cultures. I know that I depend on many of the things that Omishto states destroy and poison the land. The question is: what are we going to do about it?

I know that I would never have the strength to leave the world we live in today, but I do feel that we all can be open to different cultures and beliefs that are different from our own. Respecting ideas, values, and traditions of other people is an important step in bridging the modern and ancient world. We can not stop progression, but we can be aware of the impact future decisions may have on other cultures and nature.