I enjoy reading fairy tales, though I have stepped into the second half of my century. They have a happy ending. Moreover, I believe that life is a fairy tale.
This, on which I write starts like a fairy tale and continues into the real story. I only changed the name.
Once upon a time there lived a husband and wife, who left home for a better life in another land, where they would be better off. Soon, lie gifted them with a beautiful girl, who they named Andreja.
In the foreign land they did not have a home. They lived with acquaintances, friends and small little rooms as tenant. He worked, she took care of the rest.
When the girl was about 5 years old, I first noticed the little family in a city park. My attention was attracted how unusual they were and the particular liveliness of the girl. The small, smiling, cheerful girl was running and jumping from the water to the her parents in her underpants. When they were leaving the girl happily talked away her parents ears. The mother wore a series of full bags, while the father strapped on his jacket. So they went out of my sight.
I am a teacher and I teach children aged 9 and 10 years and this around the fourth grade of primary school.
In September I was looking forward to the new generation, new challenges, new knowledge and getting to know the children and the parents.
The first few days I focused on the children. Getting to know their diversity has always represented me with a special satisfaction. Getting to know their parents completes the image that I have created. I kept seeing one of my pupils with her mother after school in the school lobby where she waited for her.
One day after work, I went to a nearby shopping center. When I so thoughtfully walked through the lobby I noticed my student, how she was writing something on one of the benches. With the corner of my eye I sensed something familiar. She was doing her homework. Next to her was her mother with a series of full bags. Suddenly the realization hit me, a scene appeared in my mind from the city park several years ago. That's her. This is the little girl from the city park. Now she's my student!
And why is she writing homework at the mall?
The mother was left alone with the girl. She got odd jobs here and there . They slept. where they could. Social services would help the girl, so that they would put her in a youth hostel, but her mother did not want to be separated from her daughter. So they lived modestly and they were trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Though neither of them ever spoke of any difficulties.
Andreja was extremely smart, very curious and a very quick learner. She devoured knowledge. She always wanted to know more. In addition, her serenity, cheerful and good will filled my learning space.
Back then we teachers had a little more freedom. At my own request and interest I had an aquarium and terrariums in class and a few cages with small pets. Andreja was initially very happy helping with feeding and cleaning the cages and aquarium. Later, she wanted to do it all alone. Sometimes he stayed after school and we had lots of time to get to know each other. Her chatter and enthusiasm and laughter radiated through the room and next to it, I felt great. Who would have known that this child had no where to sleep, does not have her own room, her own bed, no sink, no shower, no tables for writing, drawing, let alone toys ... yet she never did complain about her fate or that she was sad.
She was angry at her mother because she did not let her go to the school dance. Her mom told me that she was afraid that social services would take her if she was not next to her.
Near the end of the school year. We decided and organized a trip to Piran.
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| PIRAN - Slovenija, by Tanja Sambolec |
To be continued.
