Mortenson's original quest for putting himself in such a treacherous landscape was to add K2 to his list of mountaineering accomplishments. Instead, he discovers an even bigger challenge at ground level when he is unexpectedly exposed to the struggles, fears and viewpoints of impoverished villagers with whom he seemingly has nothing in common.
Discuss Mortenson's strengths and weaknesses and how they respectively influenced him to embrace a psychological and spiritual transformation. Discuss whether you believe his age, gender and ethnicity were factors in his commitment to give back to the village.
It's often said that when one door closes, another one opens. Identify specific instances and events in your own life when you were devastated that you didn't get what you want. In retrospect, describe what you got instead and whether it was better, worse or equal.
Explore what might have happened to Mortenson and the people of Korphe if he had achieved his intended goal of conquering K2.
One of the recurring references in "Three Cups of Tea" is the variable concept of paradise and how it is defined by each individual's unique sense of comfort, security, familiarity, and appreciation of immediate surroundings.
Discuss what paradise means to you, especially insofar as whether it is a physical place or a state of being. Examine whether there is a correlation between paradise and Heaven.
Amidst the poverty, despair and ongoing threat of violence in this harsh region, Mortenson was able to find goodness, beauty and truth. Describe the scenes that particularly resonated with you and renewed your faith in the human condition.
Discuss your reactions to the venal correspondence Mortenson began receiving after the Sept.11 attacks.
"Three Cups of Tea" emphasizes that people worldwide are not that different from one another when it comes to having their basic needs met, being able to love, nurture and protect their families, and being able to use their talents to pursue their dreams.
Discuss experiences in your life in which you were exposed to individuals whose ethnicity, culture, and religious beliefs were radically different from your own. Identify ways in which you worked to bridge the communication gap and discover shared interests, goals and concerns. Examine the influence that your age and gender had on your willingness to compromise and/or take risks.
Explore whether your reading of this book has changed your overall impressions of the Arab world.
Mortenson not only made good on his promise of building one school, but also generated enough interest and financial support in his vision to create more than 60 facilities through his Central Asia Institute.
Identify what legacy you'd like to leave the world and what you're currently doing to make it a reality.
Discuss whether actions such as Mortenson's will ultimately make a difference in the Arab world or if the negative forces of the Taliban are too great to make such endeavors sustainable for the long-term.
Identify the person(s) you think exerted the biggest influence on Mortenson's life and, accordingly, his decision to become a humanitarian.
The title of Mortenson's book refers to the simple ritual of transitioning from a stranger to a member of the family.
Discuss how some of your own "extended family" came into being and how long it took for these relationships to take a firm hold. Explain the needs that these relationships fill in your life.
Identify the level of sacrifice you would be prepared to make in order to keep your loved ones safe. Discuss whether you believe Mortenson's risks were acts of courage or acts of foolishness.
Best-selling books are often turned into feature films in order to reach a broader audience. If you were a prospective producer and money wasn't an object, identify your dream cast of "Three Cups of Tea", explain how the movie would open, which scenes you would like to expand upon for a greater level of detail, and which ones you would leave out.