The Man at the River

This was actually pretty enjoyable to read. It was all one big awkward situations. From the american's point of view, he was just trying to make sure that his body doesn't get infected with any sort of bacteria, so he didn't want to cross the river. He never went through that river before, so he doesn't know what could possibly be in it. Also, his body isn't as adapted to the new environment, so he is more likely to become sick. He didn't want to embarrass the mutual friend, but he also didn't want to possibly get an infection . So when the mutual friend called the boatman over, he felt like he had no choice but to make a bad impression and rid a boat across the river.

From the mutual's point of view, the American was probably overreacting , after all he's been through that river a bunch of times without getting any sort of sickness, and he didn't to have to go to the village without the guest. Probably because if he went there without the guest then everyone would just assume that he chose not to help a guest, and if he tried to tell everyone what the American told him then the people at the village would probably say to him what he said to the American.