Salva and Nya's Quotes from "A Long Walk to Water"

Quotes from "A Long Walk to Water"

Nya and Salva's Point of Views

  "Waiting for water. Here, hours at a time. Everyday for 5 months, until the rains came and she and her family could return home."

  -Nya, page 26 (chapter 5)

   Nya is used to being patient and waiting in the sun, crouched down, all day.

  "He felt his heart sink a little, but he clenched his hands into fists and made himself a promise. 'If they are here, I will find them'." 

  -Salva, page 67 (chapter 11)

   Salva would continue to look for his family at the refugee camp. He would take full responsibility and care of himself while he still can.

  

  "'Maybe they will leave us alone now that they have robbed us,' Salva thought. He heard them laughing. As Salva watched, one of the men aimed his gun at Uncle. Three shots rang out. The men ran away." 

  -Salva, page 63 (chapter 10)

   Salva endured the emotional pain one day at a time, independently. 

  

  "The clangor of machinery and hammer greeted Nya... but it did not sound like water." 

  -Nya, page 71 (chapter 12)
   Nya continues to return to the pond each day; hoping the hole will be dug soon.

 

  "One problem at a time. Just figure out this one problem. Day by day, by solving one problem at a time, Salva moved towards his goal."
  -Salva, page 110 (chapter 17)
   Salva solves water problems for Dinka and Nuer tribes in Sudan. He never gives up and remembers his Uncle's encouraging words all the time.