Some time ago, I was invited to volunteer as “captain” for a
literacy project based on a series of Bookstore Trip to introduce kids to
reading real books and sponsored by a non profit organization of Mercer County.
At first I thought I would get a white captain’s hat with gold ribbons, but
instead I received a T-shirt that did not match the rest of my outfit. For a
good cause it doesn’t matter if it’s not a good color match; therefore, I
managed to wear the bright shirt even if half hidden under my suit jacket.
At 5 pm we all met at a bookstore in Princeton, NJ, and anxiously
awaited the bus full of kids from the nonprofit organization. Some people were
asking how many children they would be paired with, if we already knew their
names, etc., and everybody was trying to think about the best way to greet the
children upon their arrival. Then the bus arrived and we could finally see the
children on board with their big eyes wide open looking outside the bus windows
to that bunch of happy grown ups, in bright T-shirts, anxiously waiting for
them on the sidewalk in front of the bookstore.
After everyone was “paired” with one or two kids and we all
scattered throughout the bookstore, it was clear from the jolly atmosphere that
we were all having a lot of fun -- I mean children and volunteers. I was paired
with Omar, a very quiet six-year-old boy, and it was definitively what is
called a “perfect match!” Omar doesn’t speak much, while I tend to speak a
little more, so we got along very well.
After some time spent checking the shelves of the bookstore,
Omar picked an illustrated book about ninjas, dragons, lizards and other
curious creatures I had never seen before. We started reading the book while
drinking delicious hot chocolate and ended up arguing whether or not a green
ninja on a white dragon is better than a black ninja on a giant dark green
lizard. My thesis was that the lizard is definitely stronger, because it has 12
claws, and the dark ninja is mightier than the green; how can you argue with
that? But Omar, being only six-year-old, was not convinced with my argument
that the lizard is better than the dragon. After I exhausted all possible
explanations, Omar pointed out to me with a smile that if you count the total
dragon claws (I had counted only those on the wings), he also has 12, and since
he can fly, he has air power superiority (not a direct quote.) Well, what could
I have said to that? At the end logic forced me to concede to Omar.
We both enjoyed drinking the hot chocolate, browsing and
reading the book, and talking about lizards and dragons so much that time flew.
I have been told that they have never seen little Omar that talkative and that,
together with his smile, was the best reward.
After all there is no better way
to make children develop their personality than making them defend their own
point, even if, as in this case, their point is completely wrong. I mean, after
all who doesn't know that giant lizards are stronger than dragons?
(Dr. Divago)
