Three Grains of Wheat

What would you be willing to give up to discover the world beyond your front door?

Three Grains of Wheat chronicles Greek island native Emmanuel Papasavas’ journey of self-exploration. It is a journey of more than a few steps as he strips away the chaff of his former life as a wheat farmer’s son in pursuit of a dream that leads him away from his family and everything he once knew.

Picturesque Agios Isidoros - the small Greek village where plumbing was unheard of and money was a rare commodity - is where author Mike Papasavas began his life (and his memoir) more than sixty-five years ago.

As a boy, Papasavas knew little except the ways of a wheat farmer’s son. Even so, ingrained in him was a desire to discover something beyond his village, beyond his life as young, naïve Emmanuel. This yearning led him into the expansive world beyond where he would discover art, poetry, romance, friendships, and much more - though the quest would cost him his name.

When he was twenty years old, Emmanuel - now known as Mike - barely saved enough money to buy a one-way ticket to Germany for the purpose of getting a visa...and a new life. But his journey to freedom is a rocky one, finding him up against several nearly insurmountable complications, homelessness and poverty, Mike learns to tackle each obstacle with humor and hope. For him, often times not knowing where he will sleep tonight, faith is his ultimate compass.

Mike’s determination paves the road toward adventures and misadventures that will forever change him in this culturally diverse travelogue peppered with entertaining stories, personal reflections, and heart-wrenching memories.