I am Mei Ling (1) (Chapter 3)

08年3月12日新版本

 

Chapter 3 Will I Be As Happy As Any Canadian Child?

(54)

I saw my friend, Lily.

Was I dreaming or not?

She and I sat together,

We talked and giggled a lot.

(55)

With many things to talk about,

Lily and I were never tired.

But we had to go to sleep.

That’s what the matron required.

(56)

When I was in China,

I was in grade one.

I had many good friends.

I had a lot of fun.

(57)

There was one bad thing,

I was sad to say,

I slept at the boarding school,

From Monday to Thursday.

(58)

Lily’s bed was beside mine.

Our blankets were both red.

We often secretly whispered

After we were put to bed.

(59)

Suddenly, a baby crying,

I indistinctly heard.

Another strange sound, a low hum

Also rhythmically occurred.

(60)

I quickly opened my eyes.

My friend Lily disappeared!

The sounds of crying and humming

Became louder and clearer. Weird!

(61)

Like a heavy mountain,

The dark shabby ceiling

Was about to fall on me,

I had a bad feeling.

(62)

My heart thumped. Where am I?

Where are my mom and dad?

In the dark and the cold,

I felt so small and sad.

(63)

I didn’t call my parents

But I started to weep.

Although the sound was very soft,

My mom woke from her sleep.

(64)

I heard her gentle voice

Call out from way under,

“I heard you giggle, then cry.

Mei Ling, what’s wrong? I wonder.”

(65)

“Mom, Mom, I am very scared.

I don’t like the basement room.

I miss my friends and China,”

I sadly said in the gloom.

(66)

After a short moment,

Mom stood beside the bed.

“Don’t cry, little Mei Ling,”

She lovingly said.

(67)

“Mei Ling, please try not to think back.

Dad and I are both here for you.

We just arrived in Canada.

The hardest times, we will get through.”

(68)

Looking at me with a smile,

Mom lightly took my hand.

Soon, beside the bunk bed,

Dad quietly came to stand.

(69)

Gently holding my other hand,

My dad stood beside my mom.

His hand was so big and powerful

That my whole hand fit in his palm.

(70)

“I understand how you feel,”

His kind eyes looked at my face.

“Mei Ling, I am nervous too,

When I am in a new place.”

(71)

“But I am never scared.

It is because I know

Being scared makes things worse

And makes people feel low.”

(72)

Then, he continued saying,

“Believe your mom and me, we’re sure

That in this country, Canada,

You are very safe and secure.”

(73)

“You are a lovely girl,”

My dad added and smiled.

“You’ll be as happy as

Any Canadian child.”

(74)

Will I be as happy as them?

My throat suddenly felt dry.

I looked at the dark ceiling.

Maybe Dad was telling a lie.

(75)

I argued in my mind,

He never tells lies.

Again, I heard him say,

“Sweetheart, look at my eyes.”

(76)

“You’ll be as happy as

You were in China, before.”

He emotionally said,

Standing on the cold floor.

(77)

Slowly, I turned my head

And looked at Dad and Mom.

Their smiles were so sincere.

Finally, I felt calm!

(78)

“Mei Ling, Dad promised to find

A new home for us,” Mom said.

“A good home,” Dad added,

Confidently nodding his head.

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