Piper methysticum, the intoxicating pepper, is hammered into submission before it is mixed into the brew that's guzzled, seeps into the blood, and becomes part of the stories and songs at the tip of everyone's tongue. The bitter brown drink that bears holy truths and keeps honorable myths alive. The thud of the pestle in the kava mortar is the echo of the waves, Ingrid thinks. The rhythm of the dance underneath it all.

Kokoda isn't actually sushi, it's fish cooked in lime juice. Ceviche, which is made in Central and South America, is prepared in the same way. It's a chemical process, the citric acid denatures the proteins in the flesh of the fish so the molecules change their structure

There can never be peace... not for the departing, and not for those who remain, if bad blood and harmful deeds aren't resolved. Without one asking for forgiveness and the other forgiving, the departing one can't leave. And the remaining one can't say goodbye with their whole heart.

Can you taste the flavor of papaya and coconut? Can you hear the wind whistling through the palm trees on the beach? Can you see the arc of the horizon, where the Pacific Ocean meets the sky?

There's an old saying that guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days. It's been three weeks now, Armand, and the stench is pretty strong. I don't know how long you're planning to stay in Fiji, but in any event, this is your last evening in my vale.

The North Star is the brightest star in that constellation. Stella Polaris in Latin. But did you know it was also called Stella Maris in the Middle Ages? Star of the Sea? That's actually one of the names they used to call the Virgin Mary."Lisbeth looked at her with interest. "Really? That's exactly what she said. That little girl. She said her name was Star of the Sea."Maya nodded. "Yes, exactly. 'Our lady, star of the sea' was one of the Holy Virgin's names.

From sorrow, sin, and deepest fear, protect me with your angel near.

How nice that you want to come to church with us, Maraia."The girl's eyes are filled with a golden light, her tiny voice is strong and sure."When someone calls, we must come.

The reasons for disagreement between man and wife are as many as there are leaves on the trees and fish in the sea. But luckily the wind blows, the waves crash, and leaves and fish are swept away.

Vanua is the land and you and your clan belong to, but it's more than that. It's the people who live there now and those who have lived there before. It's the traditions they've had and the songs they've sung. What they believed in and what they loved, the togetherness and the memories. The joy over babies who are born and the grief over those who have died.