In one section of the book, Lina jumps to the conclusion that the reason Andrius is sleeping in a nice bed and well fed because his mother has chosen to spy on the others and report to the commander. Lina's mother was asked to do this and refused. She felt it was abhorrent. Andrius lets Lina know she doesn't know what she is talking about and finally he confesses that they had threatened to kill him. Therefore, his mother had to resort to prostituting herself to save her son.
I read this and thought how often do we misunderstand or mis-read others actions or intentions. We see something and make assumptions - just like Lina did. We draw conclusions when we only have half the facts. How easy it is to be wrong when we only have part of the truth or glimpse into a situation. Yet we condemn others based on the info we have. We should instead be giving others the benefit of the doubt, erring on the side of caution, believing the best in others. I wish I could also be sure I was always talking the high road and giving others the benefit of the doubt - it is hard at times, though, not to jump to conclusions. Something to think about.
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