Children of the Corn
March 11, 2006
Today I went to teach an English class to two kids.
I was early so I decided to do a very adult thing...play on the
playground! There were tons of kids running around, so I
figured I'd just grab an available swing and swing back-n-forth and
mind my own business. As my foot touched the inside perimeter
of the playground, I was immediately swarmed by about 20 little
Korean children. It was just like "Children
of the Corn!"
Most of them didn't speak English, but a few did.
The repeated over and over "My name is ..." or "Hello, how are you?
I am fine, thank you." or "What is your name? Where are you from?"
I goofed around with them a little bit and had fun. Most
Korean children are afraid of me, but I think once I sat down in a
swing on their playground, they didn't fear the Godzilla size white
man. I was literally, down on their level by swinging and
joking around with them. I'm spreading good will baby!
What I learned
today about Korea: 1) If a group of children are afraid
of you...swing with them on their playground.
