Life is Well

Chapter 3

 Last class of the day, social studies. Today, we had to give class presentations. I already had presented though. My presentation was about California. The main topics were fame, fortune, beaches, and Disneyland. I want to go to California so badly. I’d rather be kicking my toes in the sand at the beach, than being stuck in a classroom for 1 hour. Anyways, the last presenter was Naomi Wild. It’s funny because she isn't a wild, crazy, troublemaking person, but she is wild about school.

“My name is Naomi Wild and I did my presentation on Africa,” she acknowledged with confidence. A special effect took ahold of the show for a while, then voila, another slide appeared. “People in Africa live an excruciating life dealing with deadly diseases, poor water quality, poverty, and many other things.”

Her eyes were piercing mine. It was like she was telling me and me only. “Even throughout the hard trials they face they still have a smile upon their faces,” she added.

I felt a chill go down my spine. She wants us to feel sad for them, what do you call that feeling, sympathy. Sympathy is pitying someone or a group of people, and having sorrow for their misfortunes. Having compassion. With all of the pictures she showed of wars, dirty water, poverty, it did make me tear up, I will admit that. But, North America and Africa are polar opposites. I understand that the things that Africans go through is more tragic in some ways. But, I am not talking about them, I am talking about my life. But what does that make me? I was sucked back to reality when I heard a noise. It was rain hitting the cement floor. It was a gentle sprinkle pouring down slowly, then it grew louder and faster. Then, one by one it calmed down until it reached full stop. “Be thankful” was continuously being repeated in my head, like a broken record. The bell rang signaling the end of class.