I was going to beg your indulgence, for some parental skiting. But I changed my mind, because what I am sharing is so good that it needs no apology.
My girl recently completed an assignment for her English class at school. They have been reading a book called Chinese Cinderella, by Adeline Yen Mah. The assignment was to write a story inspired by something in or about the book. This is what my girl came up with:
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My Name Is Feng San-San; The Story of the Girl by the Roadside ©
My name is Feng San-San. I live in the streets of Hong Kong. Every day I scrounge for food, beg and look in garbage bins. It is very seldom that I get so much as a watermelon rind. People say I smell, but how can I wash when I live in the filth of the streets? They say I should not be idle, but who will let me work?
My name is Feng San-San. The winters are so cold, and all I have to wear are rags. I shiver so much, but I have no food to bring back my energy. Mother started coughing today.
My name is Feng San-San. I am so scared. Mother’s cough is getting worse, my nose is running and we have no medicine to get better. I am so scared that we are all going to die.
My name is Feng San-San. My mother died today; I will miss her forever, her loss is so painful. Now all I have is my dad, and he becomes more depressed every day.
My name is Feng San-San. We get less and less food, as there are so many beggars these days. My father is getting desperate, and blames me for everything. He beats me almost every day now. I am so scared, will we survive?
My name is Feng San-San. I really don’t think that we can survive. Our situation has never been more desperate, and I wonder what we will do. My dad mutters incessantly that he will get money, we will have food. I think he is too hopeful.
My name is Feng San-San. My father has gone mad. He says we will be rich. That I will make him rich. I am more frightened than ever.
My name is Feng San-San. I am for Sale.
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This story is copyright 2013. No reproduction without written permission.
For those who are interested, the last line of the story above appears in the book. That was the inspiration she used to create this story.
I think it’s great. If you do too, please tell her so in the comments. I know she’d appreciate it.
Thanks
Imelda
)
which was bestowed upon me by the lovely Lea of
