What was the significance Ishmael's Grandparents? How did it help him survive?

When visiting his grandparents, Ishmael would hear stories told by the elders. An old man once told him, “we must strive to be like the moon,” but ishmael didn't understand. When Ishmael asked his grandmother what the old man meant, she told him it was an adage that served to remind people to always be on their best behavior and to be good to others.

She told him that people are always complaining, regardless of their situations. People complain there's too much sun and then they complain again when it is too cold. And then she tells him that ironically, no one complains when the moon is shining because a lot of happy things happened in the moonlight.

This small story served to help Ishmael survive. Because of this story, he took it upon himself to pay attention to the things around him, and to observe the moon. This small part of his life was so important, that he observes the moon even unto this day. And he's happy to know that a bit of the "child" survives inside of him.