How did Ishmael Beah’s grandmother explain the local adage that “we must strive to be like the moon” (p. 16)? And why has Ishmael remembered this saying ever since childhood? What does it mean to him?

Ishmael was curious as to the meaning of the saying, and his grandmother explained that when the sun shines, people complain about the heat, but when it's cold or rainy they want the sun. On the other hand, no one ever complains about the shining of the moon.

Ishmael remembers this saying because once he actually understood it, he began observing the moon, and even as an adult he continues to make those observations.