Refer to Inside Out and Back Again for a complete version of this text. In the story, Hà’s family waits to be sponsored, but no one comes for them. When Hà’s mother learns that Americans prefer to sponsor Christian families, she changes the family’s religion on their application for sponsorship. How does this response develop a theme in the story? Hà’s mother teaches her children that, by lying, one can overcome every kind of obstacle in life. It shows that parents will go to extremes to make sure their children have a chance to succeed. Hà’s mother demonstrates the importance of leaving one’s past behind when moving abroad. It proves that when people change who they are to please others, they will always be accepted.