Originally uploaded by digitalnut One day a couple of weeks ago, while waiting for the lunch bell, I asked my 3rd grade class if they'd like to learn how to say anything in any language. New to my games, their answers were a blend of yeses, nos, and uncertainty. Perfect.
I said, "Ask me how to say anything in any language."
They said, "How do you say anything in any language?"
I said, "Anything in any language," and waited.
Some got it, but most did not. Before everyone caught up, I said, "OK, this is real. Now I'll teach you how to say, oh, happy birthday in Spanish."
I said, "Ask me how to say happy birthday in Spanish."
They said, "How do you say happy birthday in Spanish?"
I said, "Happy birthday in Spanish."
Most everyone got it by now, and there was laughter all around. As we waited for the lunch bell, we practiced other random phrases in random languages. Their eyes lit up with mischievous glee when I suggested that they wow their parents with their new found skill. I've been amused to hear, with varying degrees of success, how their own stunts went.
Fast forward to last Thursday when I was sitting in restaurant recounting this tale to a friend, also a teacher. At the very moment when I said, "How do you say happy birthday in Spanish," an old woman carrying a baby walked by our booth. I believe she was Mexican.
Overhearing but misunderstanding the context of my question, she paused and turned to us and sweetly interjected, "Happy birthday in Spanish is Feliz Cumpleaños," and then walked away.
I love helpful people.
6 comments:
Richard--it was fun to hear your voice yesterday, at least what I could hear of it in the midst of a noisy restaurant! I'm glad your email led me to your blog.
I would love to really catch up with you and find out how you are. One thing you said on the phone struck me as not a happy thing and I would love to understand more of what you are dealing with. Let's find a time to chat.
Oh and I loved this post. Your humor has not changed one bit. I could so see you saying "how do you say anything in any language." And I loved the helpful little Mexican woman! Too funny!
I like the picture of you and Christine... AND the helpful little Mexican lady!
Hee hee hee! I wonder how that would go over with my kids? It's the kind of joke Scott would pull on us. I, too, love the picture of you and Christine. I'm glad you're a teacher--it seems to me that both you and your students are enriched by your presence in the classroom.
The glue is hysterical. The picture of you is still how I picture you!
I haven't had time to answer your wonderful email, but just to clarify,the picture of you and Christine is how you will always look in my mind. So see you will always be a "cute kid". Okay I have to admit, I too was expecting to learn how to say happy birthday the second time, after all you have a sister who speaks spanish and you did live in Korea. You are still a nut, not just digital.
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