Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

fw · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 361

I don't understand what the beginning part of the 3rd sentence in the 2nd paragraph below means. Could you paraphrase the part "We have loved it as it came"?

I think the time escapes him like a serpent a wet hand, because he tries to hold it too firmly. He doesn't allow it to come to him. He always chases behind it with hands stretched out and does not allow it to rest, to lie in the sun. Time should always be nearby and should sing or say something. But time is also quiet and peaceful and loves to rest and to spread out on the mat. The Papalagi does not know time, he doesn't understand it and that is why he mishandles it with his bad manners.

　　Oh, you beloved brothers! We have never complained about time. We have loved it as it came, have never chased it, have never tired to fold it together or cut it apart. Never did it bring us need or distress. He among us who doesn't have time, let him step forward! Each of us has much time; but we are happy with time, we don't need more of it than we have and we have enough. We know that we will still reach our goal early enough and that the Great Spirit will call us to him at his will, even if we don't know the number of our moons. We must free the poor, confused Papalagi from his illusion, we must give him his time back. we must break his little, round time machine and announce to him that there is more time between sunrise and sunset than any human being can use.

fw

LucentShade · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 542 Location: Nebraska, USA

As each moment in time arrives, we love it. We enjoy every moment in a natural way, without trying to hurry or change time.

"As" here is used with its time meaning, not "because" or "in a certain way." Another similar example would be, "He greeted the guests as they came" = "Every time a guest arrived, he greeted him/her."

fw · Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 361

Thank you, LucentShade , for your explanation.

You wrote:
As each moment in time arrives, we love it. We enjoy every moment in a natural way, without trying to hurry or change time.
"As" here is used with its time meaning, not "because" or "in a certain way." Another similar example would be, "He greeted the guests as they came" = "Every time a guest arrived, he greeted him/her."

What is the difference in meaning or nuance, then, between #1 and #2 below?
1. We have loved it as it came.
2. We have loved it as it comes.

Fw