Seven short stories make up this volume, and all have to do with misunderstandings and people uncomfortable within their own skins in their own environments. Many feature aging--whether the person aging is a child or someone on the cusp of old age, the fear, nervousness, and change are similar.

My favorite of the stories is Hosanna. A young girl (probably 5-7?) who believes everything around her tells her to do things--trees want her to say hi, her shoes want to have a quick chat and not be tied to tight. As she communes with everything speaking with her, she is always late to school, and on this one special day (the day of Hosanna) she has tried so hard to make it on time, ignoring so many of her "friends" on the way. After the ceremony, and after being lectures by a teacher, she goes outside and can't seem to hear the requests any more. Her friends have gone. ( )