As a part of a larger project celebrating the life and work of MLK, we’re writing an essay centered around the question, “What could I do to make the world a better place?”
I have a new student.
His name is Juan.
He is a newcomer from Colombia.
“Juan asked if he can answer the question in Spanish,” said Johan, Juan’s table mate and translator for these his first days and months in a new land and a new language.
Johan is also from Colombia.
He has been in the US for three years and is fluent in both Spanish and English.
“Of course,” I said.
I smiled at Juan and gave him a thumbs up.
He went to work writing in his social studies notebook and typing on his Chromebook.
When he was done, he sent this paragraph to me.
“Lo que haría para cambiar el mundo sería a yudar a los indigentes ayudar a los necesitados haria fundaciones y le bajaría los impuestos y ayudar a los perritos.”
Monica, our kind attendance clerk and my friend (who is from Ecuador) helped me translate his words.
“What I would do to change the world is help the homeless, help the needy, make foundations and lower taxes and help the puppies.”
Wow.
His words give me hope for the world.
He gives me hope for the world.
I think MLK would be honored to have Juan following in his footsteps.
After Monica helped me translate Juan’s words, she said, “I have a gift for you.”
She gave me the cup below.
You know what?
The best words and the best gifts and the best people come from the heart, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment