Niue, South Pacific
Coordinates: 19 2 S 169 52 W
Population: 1,444 (2008 est.)
With an area slightly larger than Washington DC (about 260 square kilometers) Niue has the distinction of being one of, if not the largest coral island in the world. Located in the South Pacific east of Tonga and the International Date Line, it also has a unique tradition pertaining to the nut from which it takes its name. When a stranger of note first visits a Niuean village, it’s customary to present him or her with coconuts—a rather civilized and courteous gesture for a place formerly known as Savage Island. Niue relies heavily on economic aid from New Zealand and may well be the only territory in the world whose chief export is coconut cream. Unfortunately for the shrinking population though, neither this nor the other commodities sold to neighboring countries come close to offsetting the cost of importing over $9 million in food, manufactured goods, machinery, and fuel.
Ben Keene is the editor of Oxford Atlas of the World. Check out some of his previous places of the week.
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Little Willow/Slayground has interviewed Daphne Grab!
Read it now, then cruise on back for more about heroes.
To sum up this week's hero theme, we take a more serious turn and talk with Nancy Viau. Nancy is the author of Samantha Hansen Has Rocks In Her Head, a middle-grade novel that explores the heart and soul of a ten-year-old who loves rocks, and hates the fact she can’t keep her temper under control.
Who’s your hero, Nancy?
Well, when I first think of heroes, I think of the men and women who give up their comfortable lives to fight overseas. They do this unselfishly, and I am so grateful. It’s because of them that I (quite selfishly) get to do what I do—write. Thankyouthankyouthankyou!
On a personal note, my dad is my hero. And it’s not just because he served in the U.S. Army for 26 years. (I’m an Army brat, can you tell?) There was never a day that my dad did not believe in me. In fourth grade, when I told him I wanted to be an astronaut, he said, “You can do anything you set your mind to.” In high school, when I longed to be a Broadway dancer, he said, “That’s great!” And in college, when I told him I was planning to be an elementary school teacher, he looked at me kind of relieved, and replied, “Perfect.” Years later, as I worked toward getting published, his encouragement kept me going. He dealt with the death of a wife, son, and most of his good friends, and lived in extreme pain, yet this “Energizer Bunny” met each day with a positive attitude, a twinkle in his eye, and a sense of humor. I hope to honor him by doing the same.
Nancy has written a special tribute to her dad that can be found in the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul anthology: Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrating People Who Make a Difference. Pick up this book in a store near you, and read her heartfelt essay: “Save the Best for Last.”
Think you’d like to try your hand at writing a personal essay? Click HERE for the “Recipe For A Winning Chicken Soup for the Soul Story.”
Stay tuned next week for a list you can’t miss:
28+ Reasons Why You Need a Web Site.
