With a Gift of Cows, Masai Speak Volumes

Re “From Africa, Milk of Human Kindness,” June 3: The gift of 14 cows by the impoverished African village has to be one of the most significant events flowing from Sept. 11. I hope every American ponders its meaning and experiences the humility that turns out to be the gift behind the gift.

It may never happen again, but the fact that people in this small, poor village had it in their hearts to do this wonderful thing for us speaks volumes about the human spirit and doing the right thing. May we take care to do the right thing.

Paul D. Fillman

Redlands

*

A funny thing happened on my way to reading about the Lakers in the sports pages. I stumbled on the first section, and was entranced by articles about defections in the Bush administration, fruit fly research and misinformation about bombing campaigns. In one hour I was treated to quality investigative reporting, a lucid scientific story and a tale of bombing politicization that was both strange and ghoulish.

Finally, there was the story of the Masai and the cows. For the first time in 45 years, a newspaper story made me burst into tears. The Times is truly a beacon.

Mike Roddy

Topanga

*

Re your article about the Masai: They are the artisans of Kenya. These kind, gentle people, who were so thrilled when we gave them baseball caps and T-shirts from American teams, produce works of art that are magnificent. I will never forget them.

Vera Holden

Atascadero