My Students' Voices (2)
Carol Griffiths, China
Carol Griffiths obtained a PhD in Education from the University of Auckland, specialising in Applied Linguistics. She currently works in Beijing, China as a teacher educator. She has had a number of articles published and she is currently working with CUP on the publication of a book called "Lessons from Good Language Learners". E-mail: carolgriffiths5@gmail.com
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The new skirt
Barbie doll
A scar on my knee
Every time when I look back upon my childhood, there were always many incidents. Some were full of joy, and some were a little bit sad. The most memorable thing in my mind happened between my best friend and me, and it was only because of a skirt.
Ten years ago, when I was in primary school, I was a smart and easygoing girl, and was always welcomed by teachers and classmates. But my best friend Lily was totally different from others. She was boyish and negligent. She played with boys and fought with boys all the time. However, we were good friends. We lived together, ate together, and went back home together.
It was Children's Day. My mother bought me a skirt as a present. It was really a nice skirt with chiffon on it. That morning, I wore it to class. As soon as I reached class, I was surrounded by the girls immediately. They all admired my new skirt, which made me feel very proud.
At that time, Lily was playing with a boy at the back of the classroom. After hearing the praise, she asked me to the back to show her my new skirt. I did so. But the moment I stood in front of her, she was pushed by the boy and fell down. She tried to hold me, unfortunately, she only held my skirt. Then chiffon was suddenly torn. Everyone gasped. So did I. I could not believe my eyes. It was the first day I wore the new skirt.
I cried out loudly. Lily stood by me, apologized and tried to comfort me. But everything she did at that time was useless. I took a broom, and hit her hard. She stood still, never moving, no matter how hard I hit.
That night, she came to my home, accompanied by her mother. I thought she came to tell my parents what I had done to her in the school. To my surprise, she asked her mother to mend the skirt for me, and apologized again.
My face turned red. I had hurt her so hard, just because she tore my new skirt accidentally. But she never minded. Instead, she was brave enough to take her responsibility.
After that incident, we were still friends, good friends. I think she has taught me a lot, not only bravery and responsibility, but also tolerance. I am happy that I have such a friend, and I am happy that I haven't lost such a friend.
Jenny, E-mail: leijennylei@yahoo.com.cn
When I was a child, Mom always told me that it is more blessed to give than to receive. I could not understand it until I met Ling, my best friend in my life. I still remember the day that I met her in primary school. She had jet-black longish hair and beautiful eyes which made her very imposing. She was a good person with a kind heart and we got on very well. Since we had a lot in common, we became good friends immediately.
Like most other ten-year old girls, I was crazy about Barbie dolls. However, the price was unaffordable for primary school pupils. As a result, I decided to buy a fake one from the street vendor. I used up all my money that I saved in order to buy it. I treated the bargain as a precious and I took it everywhere - to school, even to bed.
One day, Ling whispered to me mysteriously, "Are we good friends?"
"Of course, Ling, you know that."
"Well, could you give me your Barbie to me as a gift?"
I fell silent suddenly. I thought for a while and told her that I could give her my Kitty cat. But she refused and didn't talk about it any more.
About week later, Ling asked for Barbie again. I was in dilemma, but I really didn't want to hurt her again, so I was thinking on and on so as to find a compromise.
"All right, forget about what I said, I'm still your best friend", Ling said with sadness on her face.
The next day, I was told that Ling was going to another city with her parents. The news was just like a bolt struck me. I ran to her house trembling with tears rolling down my cheek.
"It's for, Ling. Er...and I'm sorry." I gave my Barbie to her.
With tears in her eyes, she held my Barbie tightly. Then she carried out a packaged box from her room. I opened it curously. To my suprise, it was a genuine Barbie of Ling's.
"I just waited until you give up your Barbie so that I could give you mine as a gift before I leave. What's more, I really want to exchange our Barbies as a rememberance of our friendship."
I stood straight, dumb and ashamed. That was the first time I despised myself so much. At the moment, I suddenly realized that the most important thing you should treasure is the one you love and the one who loves you. Sometimes if you bestow your kindness you will gain more that you expected.
Ling and I are still in touch with each other. The Barbies witness our everlasting friendship. They always bring to mind our childhood memory. Thanks to Ling, I learnt that giving creates love.
June: feelingjune729@hotmail.com
There is a scar on my knee, one that I will never get rid of. It might have brought me pain and tears, but it left me a sweet memory which will last forever.
It was a hot summer afternoon in my last summer vacation in primary school. The sun was shining so brightly as if he wanted to exert all his strength to dry everything on the earth. What was worse was that there was not even a small gust of wind. Even so, we still played extremely happily because it was the first time since we became students that we could enjoy a vacation without the burden of homework. Anyway, the hot weather could not be ignored, so I decided to go to the river with a group of friends. The river, which was small but clean and lovely, had always been a heaven for children of that age in summer. The little fish in it were always cute and the waving water grass was always enjoyable. Since the distance between the river and our living place was a bit far, we decided to ride there.
Few trees were standing beside the road leading to the river. I could feel myself sweating profusely - not only because of the high temperature, but also because of the girl sitting on the backseat. I had to push on the pedals with every effort.
Life played a joke on me. Maybe with just 200 meters left, an unexpected ramp suddenly appeared. I braked hard trying to stop a possible disaster. But not until I pinched the brake lever did I remember my brake was broken. What was more unfortunate was that a woman was just about ten meters ahead. It was obvious at that moment that the die was cast. Although I shouted as loudly as I could to warn her, all three of us still fell on the road, a road paved with little stones.
That lady was all right and she was kind enough to send me to the nearest hospital, as the girl behind me just got bruised. However, almost all my bare skin got hurt, of which my left knee was the most serious. After this accident, I couldn't move freely. Later the story was even sadder as I was transferred to three different hospitals, because the wound festered. I had to spend the rest of that vacation either on the bed or in a chair. You will understand just how unhappy I was.
But I got more than I could ever have imagined. My friends kept visiting me everyday. They told me the interesting things they did, they brought little gifts to me and they expressed their strong wish that I could get healthy soon and join them. During a time which I thought would be rather hard to get over, I enjoyed the most and truest friendship in my life. Even when I recollect my old days today, I could not find a truer friendship. It was them who made me brave and I knew I was not alone.
After that summer vacation, my family moved to another city. Since then we have had less and less contact with each other. However, even after nine years, every time I see the scar on my knee, I recall those beautiful days in my childhood and I still feel warm when I think of those faces. We have all grown up, but I will treasure this sweet memory for all my life.
Jasmin: wangjingqiang1987@126.com
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