A Down Home Meal for These Difficult Times Lesson Plan

What does the suitcase in the opening story symbolize?

In "The Suitcase," the titular suitcase is far more than just a suitcase, as are all the items inside it. The suitcase offers Saba's relatives in Ethiopia a connection to their kin the United States. There isn't an easy way to send items between the countries, so the suitcase is seen as "coveted real estate." Since the suitcase is overweight, Saba must decide which items to take out. She needs to place a value on what are seemingly mundane items, many of which can be purchased in the U.S., like chickpeas and loaves of bread. But these items really represent the relatives' love and yearning for those who have moved...