Truyện song ngữ của LM Nhà Văn Nguyễn Trung Tây : African Roots = Gốc Phi Châu

Dream now, dream many dreams, dream big dreams, so that in the future, life will roll up the red carpet widely to lead and welcome you to the gates of Congress and the White House.

Having finished complaining, she continued to look at herself in the mirror, depositing some more cosmetic powder on her face, giggling with her friends. On occasion being excited at herself, she even rounded her mouth to make whistling sounds just as if she was attending a joyful festival in the fairground.

That night, the teacher suffered from insomnia. He was so frightened, just like being chased by ghosts.

The next day, still the same.

[2] please appear to me and call the sparrows to sort out the black and green beans so my life would be less unfortunate.”

The first week of the school in Indianapolis offered the teacher nothing but depressing life, just like the winter sky when it poured down a blanket of snow to erase all city roads.

[3] the first time.

If the student did not repent, but rather continued to play the war games, the teacher then wrote number 2 next to his name, while he was saying out loud again,

If the student did not give up, but again exhibited his misbehavior in class, the teacher would no longer write a new number, but raise his hand to invite the student with a very polite gesture,

But, the teacher applied a different strategy to the students of Kindergarten, the First, the Second, and the Third Grades. While he was enthusiastically lecturing, if there were some unpleasant sounds suddenly arising among the students,

The teacher gave a stern look to that area. Normally after that simple gesture, the disciplinary atmosphere was restored at once. But on occasion the Western front life was quiet for only a few minutes, and then Quảng Trị old fortress was bombarded again with many huge cannon sounds,

Obviously the North and the South did not reconcile, but continued to intensify the war. The teacher decided to intervene,

Most girl students shared the same dream,

For boys, Michael Jordan, the famous basket ball star, was a huge idol.

The student, normally quite well behaved, for the first time interrupted his teacher,

Another incident happened with a girl of the Seventh Grade on that morning. She did not put on cosmetic powder or look at herself in the mirror anymore. Her hair was still braided with shiny oil, but her face appeared quite pale, her eyes were lethargical like lack of sleep. During class hours, she lowered her face on the desk. Being cautious that she might be sick and also suspicious that she was playing a new game in class, the teacher quickly stepped down to her desk,

She did not reply, still closing her eyes. The teacher continued with a stern face,

Life in the school continued to flow with another incident with a student of the First Grade, who raised his hand asking for a permission to go to the toilet. The teacher nodded his head saying,

The student corrected the teacher right at the spot,

It was the same First Grade student, who corrected the teacher in class. His mother telephoned the school office asking to have a meeting with the yellow skinned Asian teacher,

The mother began raising her voice a bit,

The teacher breathed in deeply in an attempt to keep calm,

The lady stood up,

The next day, the Afro-American Principal gently told him,

Yes, if the boss had said so, the teacher took the advice from the superior. The teacher let his student retake the exam, the same questions. This time, the mother was also present in the classroom. This time he selected all correct answers, A+.

The local news caused the teacher to remember the students of Kindergarten, the First, and the Second Grades, who were innocent just like the angels. Whenever seeing the teacher during recess hours, they all rushed to him pleading for hugs. Watching the news on TV reminded the teacher of his own situation, the reality and the unique culture of the Afro-American. The teacher asked the Principal for her advice. The Principal said,

Having worked in Afro-American community half of the year, the teacher mimicked Afro-American men by piercing his ear. Seeing his left ear pierced, the Superintendent commended him,

Life continued. Only one more week was left, the school year would be over. That afternoon the secretary of the school informed the teacher that a parent wanted to see him in the school office. The teacher raised his eyebrows, unable to anticipate what would be waiting for him. Preparing himself mentally for a new battle, the teacher reluctantly entered the office. The woman stood up to introduce herself,

Both eyes of the woman were suddenly filled with tears,

Dear all, why not dream? Dream high, dream much, and dream huge. Because all dreams shall eventually become reality. The most important thing is that we dare to have dreams.