The New Kid's First Story

Eyo was new. He had moved here in October. His family had come a long way, from a country with a different language. Eyo's English was getting better every week, but it was still careful.

In Mr Halpern's class, the children had been writing stories all week.

On Friday, they were going to read them aloud.

Eyo's stomach went tight when he heard this. His story was finished. It was a story about a small fox who could not find his shadow. He liked his story. But reading it aloud, in front of the class, in English, made his hands sweat.

Mr Halpern saw Eyo's face.

After class, Mr Halpern asked Eyo to stay for a minute.

"Eyo. The reading on Friday. Are you nervous?"

Eyo nodded.

"It's hard, reading aloud, when the language is still new. I have an idea, if you'd like."

"Yes please."

"You can read your story in your own language first. I'll have a translation for the rest of us. Then if you want, you can read a few sentences in English. Or none. The story is what matters. Not how you read it."

Eyo thought about this.

"In my own language?"

"Yes. Bring it Thursday and I'll have it ready for everyone Friday morning."

Eyo went home and told his mama. His mama smiled in the way that means she was happy, but a little misty-eyed too.

"Yes," said his mama. "We'll bring it."