Literacy Challenge

Poetic Response: My Home Is My Fortress

“My home is my fortress,” a wise man once said

And none would have doubt in-depth meaning.

While some build high fences to stay lonely and mad,

The others have homes without ceiling.

I was neither born a beggar nor as a rich man I grew,

But my home has become my inspiration:

With parents’ persistence and righteous views,

I learned to work hard, with dedication.

I learned to set goals and never give up

And look with a hope into troubles,

I found that neither grief can be drawn in a cup

Nor problems disappear, like blow bubbles.

My parents have taught me the Golden life rule:

Treat others as you wish to be treated.

I know that it works for wise and for fool

And fate in no way can be cheated.

Through mom’s sincere caring and father’s firm warmth,

I learned to be friendly with others.

A friend can be helpful when other friend calls,

And friends can be as dear as brothers.

Of course, I’m not perfect. I am who I am.

I shouldn’t sing odes in my honor.

My parents are great, and I’m grateful to them

That I haven’t grown up into a yawner.

My home’s been my fortress for so many years

And will be till my families are healthy.

I hope I will never provoke their tears

As only they’re making me wealthy.

Narrative Response: Friendship and a Bright-Blue Coat

I entered the door of my first grade with fear in my eyes and practically ready to weep once again over the yesterday’s incident. I did not know what to do if the teacher would still be upset and Thai would still be mad because of his dirty clothes. In any case, I remembered my mother’s kind smile, took a deep breath, and managed to say “Hi, guys” in an optimistic tone and take my seat at the desk. “My father said never befriend with you again!” I heard Thai’s angry words over my head and felt somehow even more confused and troubled due to the situation that separated me with my close friend. The words were more than upsetting: we have been good friends since the kindergarten years. Although I was ready to respond to him, the bell rang; all children sat still, and the math lesson started.

I could not hear the teacher’s explanations as my head was totally overloaded with finding an answer for the only question: why? Why one of the best friends of mine abandoned me after I had accidently pushed him on my way to the canteen and he slipped and fell on the muddy path?! I did not mean to do so. It was occasionally: I simply hurried to take my seat in the canteen. I did not even notice that he approached me from the side… And then he fell, and his clear bright-blue coat became as dark as field in early spring. I apologized at hand, sincerely and a few times, as far as I remember, and Thai was just upset with his coat being spoiled. However, he said not a word that our friendship was over.

The rejection and abandonment started in about 10 minutes when his grandmother and father ran to school crying aloud that their boy was abused violently. The two adults ordered the teacher to secure their boy from me, the ‘bandit,’ as they said, and accepted no objections. I sat scared, or even terrified, and was even afraid to breathe, until my mother came and take me home, but Thai was long at home by then. I remember that I cried and apologized before my parents until they enticed me to calm down and tell the whole story to the fullest and completely honestly. I told all about the issue, with all explanations I could provide in my 7 years of age.

My mother and father did not punish me, though Thai’s parents demanded to do so. Mom just embraced me gently and said in a calm voice, “My dear son, what has happened cannot be changed, but, please, tend to be careful, especially with regard to others. You did a good thing when you apologized but did not start to accuse Thai in being awkward or whatever.” Then, the father said solicitously, “There’ll be many cases when you’ll feel like this, somehow unjust, but try to do the right thing and be honest. Accepting mistakes and learning lessons will help you to be a good person.” “Good for your own self foremost,” the mother added.

A slight remembrance about that friendly talk with parents helped me to balance my thoughts, to a certain degree. When the lesson ended, I came up to Thai and asked if he was still mad at me. Luckily, he had not even listened my question to the end, but caught my hand into his and pulled me to the swing in the yard. At that moment, I acquired my friend back, and I was happy.