My Day with the Panye by Tami Charles

The panye means we are graceful when the load is heavy. We are strong, even when the earth is not. We are family, fed from love.

Fallon is going to the market with Maman. She ties her hair in a sun-yellow mouchwa, and places the panye carefully on her head. Fallon's toes tingle, she takes few few steps towards the door, and, BOOM!, the panye falls on the floor.