《What Would Happen If Kids Ruled the World》

兒子今年要參加英語演講比賽，這是他第一次參加這類比賽。下面是孩子的想法，加上老師、媽媽的修改所完成的講稿：

The world would be a completely different place if kids ruled the world. Adults will tell you that the world is too complicated and we don’t have what it takes to rule the world. The truth is, they don’t know what we’ve got. First, we have incredible creativity. For us, the sky is the limit. Second, we simplify things, instead of complicating them. Third, adults think and talk a lot, and we just do it! Therefore, they should let us rule the world. Now, let me tell you what would happen if kids ruled the world.

There are four things I would change if kids ruled the world. Schools are too boring, so I want to change them into Disneyland. In these schools, we would learn through computer games, teachers would tell interesting stories, and there would be singing, dancing, and playing everyday. How do feel about this kind of school?

Another thinng I want to do is build magic stores on every street. In these stores, there would be everything you could want, and you could also get free snacks when you go inside. If you were angry or bored, there would be cool things you could do there. You could hang out with your friends until very late. If this something you would like?

The third thing I want to change is there would only be the MRT, no cars, scooters, or motorcycles. If there were only the MRT, we would be safe when walking on the street, and the air would be clean all the time. Also, there would be much less noise. Would you like it to be this way?

The last subject is doctors. In the future, hospitals would have very kind doctors. They would give us very effective, good-tasting medicine and they would smile all the time. They would also teach us how not to get sick again. I believe this kind of health care would be the best, and you?

I think most people believe changing the world is really hard. But things do not change; people change. So, if you think this world is not as good as it could be, we can change it together! If we change the world together, this world could be the best. We don’t have much time to waste, so...are you ready? Let’s start changing the world now.

兒子長大了

這篇文章六個月前就該放上來了，卻一直忙忘了。趁今天有空，趕緊處理，免得又忘了。

今年暑假，升小五的兒子開始自己通車上暑期課程，每天都跟他在安東市場口道別，目送他過馬路搭公車。今天早上跟兒子說再見時，看到他撇著頭，笑著說：「再見囉！」，突然心裡一陣感傷。一轉眼，兒子都這麼大了，感覺好成熟。一時之間，又回想起幾年前他還在唸小一，有一天爸爸接他回家，聽到公寓樓下的門鈴，我便把門打開，伸長脖子等著他們倆上樓。不一會兒，看到兒子興奮的表情，臉上一抹燦爛的微笑，看著我大聲喊：「媽媽！」看見他白襯衫、藍短褲，背上還背著書包，我感覺到當媽媽的驕傲，「小傢伙上小學了！」今天的他成熟自信許多。這個週末我們全家去埔里玩，晚上溯溪找青蛙時，他還不時回頭關心壓隊的爸爸，也讓爸爸有「受寵若驚」的感覺呢！