There are so many kids in this city. They walk around in their funny looking school uniforms, take buses home all by themselves, and are always naturally curious about awkward white girls (aka me).
Last week I went to an amusement park while many elementary schools were on a field trip. I walked around a corner and ran into a group of at least 75 little ones. They didn’t even try to hide their excitement. One poor teacher tried to stop them all from running full speed at me, but I ended up completely surrounded.
They threw question after question at me, all in near perfect English. “What is your name? Why are you here? Where are you from? Do you like Chinese food?” My poor responses in Chinese made them all giggle uncontrollably. One by one, their tiny hands reached for mine, mimicking the western handshake they saw on TV. One boy placed a Lay’s chip in my hand, an offering of friendship.
When they ran out of English vocabulary words they went back to Chinese. They understood what it was like to learn a language. They spoke slow, used hand gestures, and even helped correct my pronunciation.
After spending an afternoon hanging out with children all over the park, I really started to think about the cool mind’s kids have. They are curious, questioning, and outgoing. What happens to adults that makes that fly out the window? What happens to them that makes them stare at me instead of giggle and smile?
I think as adults, we become so self-conscious. But kids are so unself-conscious! They say the first thing that comes to their minds, they’ll talk to new people, skip the formalities, fall on the ground, goof off. Man, I love kids. Glad you are doing well over there!
Alex:
A lovely story. I had the same experience with 4thgraders at an elementary school. They each had to bring me a “gift”. Some brought precious things, some just a note of greetings, but I treasure each gift because they came from their heart, and the heart of a child is a pure thing. I will never get rid of their box of treasures.
I am enjoying your work so much
Dr. Bob
Thanks all for the comments.
Jonathan, I think your completely right. I am much more likely to try to say something in Mandarin to these children than adults. I am sooo guilty of it as well. Thanks for reading.
Dr. Bob, I want to go to a school! Glad you are reading and enjoying the work.