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dance they’ve done several times, they don’t pay
as much attention as when he’s trying something new.
    Now they were dancing and singing at the same time. It was like some of our traditional
Jewish dances and songs. At times the music seemed like that of the Far East. Not
all instruments played each song because different sounds were required for each
type of dance. Soon trumpets and guitars were playing Spanish sounding music, and
percussionists were joining in with castanets and tambourines.
    “Come on,” said Andron. “Let’s join them.”
    “You have to be joking,” I said. “Trust me when I say I’m not the world’s best dancer.
I’d rather play football.”
    “Come on,” said Andron. ”Be a sport. No one sits on the sidelines here.”
    “Andron,” I said stubbornly, “I m not even a good dancer on my own planet. I don’t
have the slightest idea what to do here. I’ll make a total fool of myself.”
    “That would be impossible,” said Andron. “You don’t understand how these people feel
about you. Come on.”
    Reluctantly I gave in but not happily. He didn’t give me any choice.
    “If everyone felt they had to be perfect, it would ruin all the fun,” he said.
    So we joined in. I did my best to keep in step. Once I started to get the hang of
it, I had to admit that it wasn’t as bad as I thought. It just wouldn’t have been
my first choice. Thankfully nobody was watching anybody else perform. They didn’t
seem to notice if I got out of step. Or if they did, I guess they didn’t care. This
was a celebration not a performance.
    Finally it was time for the feast. Now that was something I could really dive into—total
participation on my part.
    “We’ll collect plates from our table and head for the food booths,” said Andron.
That was music to my ears.
    “Sounds good to me,” I said. “I’m right behind you.”
    The setting his family had designed reminded me of the tropics. It was complete with
waterfalls, ponds, fragrant flowers, and huge green plants.
    “I could really grow to like this place,” I said.

Chapter 9
    SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A JERK
    B EFORE ANYONE PUT food on their plates, one of the village elders began to bless
the food in a loud voice:
    Father, once again we gather to celebrate You and Your Son, Jesus. We are grateful
for the many blessings You have poured out over Kandalaura. We ask You to bless
this food, and we invite You to be part of our fellowship. Amen.
    And all the people echoed, “Amen.”
    No one seemed to be in a hurry. Slowly they meandered over to the food and filled
their plates. Some tried samples. I heard oohs and ahs over the food.
    There were actually some dishes that were similar to ours, like the beef kabobs and
some seafood. That got me to wondering.
    I looked at Andron and before I could ask my question, he said, “No, Mikey, we don’t
kill our animals for food.”
    “But this tastes like meat we have on earth,” I said.
    “Though it’s permitted on your planet, we don’t need meat to survive on ours. However,
we brought a few pieces back with us from your planet, and our chefs have somehow
managed to replicate the look and taste of the real thing.”
    That was a relief to me. Most of their foods were new to me and some even seemed
strange, but they were all seasoned well and tasted delicious. There’s not much
that can keep me from eating.
    I was in the middle of my munching when I realized that Andron’s entire family was
staring at me.
    “Andron,” said his father, “how long has it been since you fed this boy?”
    “Not that long, sir,” he said.
    “On our planet, we all chow down, especially us growing boys,” I said.
    They all laughed. They were not used to the way I talk. I was enjoying their company,
yet I felt a little foolish and awkward at times. I didn’t like being the center
of attention, never have liked it.
    “I’m glad to see you’re enjoying yourself,” said Andron’s mom, trying to smooth