The Sneetches

The Sneetches is one of the most interesting children's book in my collection. I recently re-read the book and pondered once again on its meaning which is so timeless. Bigotry, racism, political divide and class segregation were tackled effortlessly in such a classic book written in 1961.


The Star-bellied Sneetches think that they are the creme of the crop, the bold and the beautiful, the elite and impressionistas.  The Plain-bellied Sneetches are the regular guys and gals, the one who work harder to be recognized if ever, the introverts or the castaways. Sylvester Mc Monkey-Mc Bean is the enterprenuer who offered both parties access to acceptance, gaining opulence for his tricky endeavour to change a star bellied one to a plain one and vice-versa.


I wanted to be a Star-bellied Sneetch so that I could belong. I wanted to be up there in a pedestal, enjoying life as some people do, living each page of their book as chapters filled with fairy tale characters. It is an enviable state. But I am just a Plain-bellied Sneetch whose day to day existence is marked by hard work, challenges and discrimination. I am but poor.


I never have a BB or an iPhone nor had acquired new gadgets that flood the market. I have some luxuries at home such as a television set or a desktop computer to which to blog my superficial complaints in life. I wish for some but I have more pressing problems than chit chatting with Siri or letting people know my whereabouts. 


When I wear a cheap watch, does it mean I am poor and of no material asset? When I dress down, does it show my inability to be fashion conscious? When I am Asian, does it mean I am a second class citizen? No! It means that I value a watch for its ability to tell time, I appreciate wearing comfortable clothes, and that I am a worthy person whose value as a teacher is well respected and accepted.


So for those who see material gain as a parameter for success, I let you. For those who think that decking myself with gold is a way to gain respect, then let it be. For I am going to die Plain-bellied but contented, who had lived partly as a Star-bellied Sneetch, all because of my own sacrifices. 


All on my own, from birth to death.

Questions and Answers

Children are generally inquisitive and part of our curriculum in school is to hone this inquisitiveness as it is part and parcel of our approach to project work. Though I enjoy the questions and answers vis-a-vis that happens everyday, I am still compounded by intrigue when I am asked about other things that are not project related. Here are some samples:


- Did you ever go to school? 
- Did you learn to add and to subtract?
- Why are your teeth black?
- Is your mom dead?
- How old are you?
- You have a birthday?
- Do you live in school?
- Do you like me?
- I know who your favourite is.
- Can I go to your house?
- Can you go to my house for tea?


And my favourite...Can you be my daddy?


I answer them as honestly as I can, okay, not really especially with the age thing. I always tell them that I am a hundred years old and they will always tell me, that I should be dead. Very clever indeed!

Sunset

When I started in this school where art plays an important part of the teaching curriculum, I was amazed how creative the staff were. From the head of the school to the teachers and the assistant teachers, each and every one contributes to showcase a magnificent array of art and paintings every year that children and teachers collaborate on.

We auction out the artworks to parents to support two hill tribes that our families of schools support. My first year was absolutely fabulous as one parent from another class came and bid on almost all the artworks and taking home one fine piece for 10,000 baht, a feat to beat since silent auctions started in school.

For the next seven years nothing had beaten the record as each and every artworks went within the price range of 250 baht up to seven to eight thousand the most, until recently. This year, a very generous parent bid on an artwork for 10 thousand matching the previous record, and I was very surprised. The art was from the youngest class in our school and it was a pretty one. As I told my assistant that our record is now matched, I was a bit disappointed.

However, during the actual bidding day, final bids were placed at the last minute and when they were posted for collection, I was aghast and couldn't believe that a mom actually got one of my class artworks for twenty thousand baht (650USD). The mom herself made history in school.

The art work was a study of light and shadow using houses and other structures as foreground. The background turned so well when three to four different hues were painted on the canvas making a blast of orange yellowish hues to create sunset. It turned to be one of the most difficult art work ever in terms of colour separation and combination. But the end result was a much worth product. When great minds get together, we produce one equally great art.

My heartfelt thanks goes to the Rust family. Thank you so much.