This excerpt no longer appears in this form in the manuscript. The cultural aside pulls the reader out of the story. It injects too much of the narrator’s viewpoint and might make the reader feel preached to:

Arlinda’s neighbor, Yong Pok Kim, brought over a Korean congee, a thick rice porridge made from a family recipe. It had some vegetables and herbs Arlinda did not recognize, and some sort of grain blended together into a porridge so Arlinda could swallow it. Arlinda was not very fond of the taste at first, but the nutrients she needed made her feel much better. She reluctantly ate a few bowls of the soup over the week, enduring each painful mouthful in order to stave off the hunger and to show appreciation for her neighbor’s thoughtfulness. By the end of the week, her body had learned that this food, though not recognizable to her palate, was giving her the nourishment it had craved. She ate the last few bowls gladly, and was starting to feel somewhat better.

In the melting pot of America, cultures blend like ingredients in a rich, hearty stew, adding their unique flavors to the communal table. The Korean congee Arlinda received symbolized this beautiful mosaic, where generations of heritage are shared through the simple act of a neighbor’s kindness. Just as the vegetables, herbs, and grains melded into a nourishing porridge, so do our diverse traditions and histories create a blend of shared experiences and mutual support.