say it LOUD

After I finished my presentation this morning, a 4th-grade student who had been in the front row came up to me and tugged my sleeve.

HIM: Can I tell you something?

ME: Sure!

He leaned in close and I bent down so he could whisper in my ear…

HIM: I'm African!

ME: (excited) You ARE? That's wonderful. What part of Africa are you from?

HIM: (still speaking softly) Senegal.

ME: Wow! Tu parles francais aussi? (I had spoken a little French earlier in my presentation)

HIM: Yes.

ME: And do you speak Wolof as well?

HIM: (with a small smile) Yes.

ME: Wow–that means you can speak THREE languages. Good for you!

And then another child tugged at my arm and I tried to answer everyone else's questions before my time was up. I never have to wonder why I do what I do, why I write what I write…