Last week’s diary assignment for my twelve-year-olds at Shane English Yuxi was to write an essay about what they would do if they won the lottery. There were some sweet, some savage, and some surprising responses.
From Kevin:
If I won the lottery, I will have a lot of money, so it’s hard to say what I want to do. Maybe I will help people who need help. I will give most of money to my parents. I think they gave me life, so they deserve it.
From [name redacted, a female student]:
First, I’d buy a big mansion because my mother loves mansions. Next, I’d buy a forest, because my father wants to be an explorer. . . . Finally, I would go to Japan and kill the Japanese president.”
From Ruby:
I think this is a difficult question because usually the lotteries I’ve won were ¥1 or ¥10. In my view, ¥10 isn’t small. So my plan is ¥3 is to buy some crisps, cookies, and milk; ¥4 can buy some magazines; ¥1 can buy a pen; and another ¥2 I will save in a box. Then I can buy cookies again!
From Ewan:
I would buy a mansion, a good robot, and a big bed. On Sunday, my robot would become me and go to Shane English School so I can continue to sleep.
From Nancy:
If I won the lottery, first I’d buy a big mansion. Next I’d travel to Europe to see the Arc de Triomphe, The Eiffel Tower, and Big Ben. After that, I’d write a novel. Next I’d send mother and father to a tropical island so they can swim every day. Then last, I’d give away the rest of my money.
From Windays:
First, I’d buy a mansion and an Aston Martin. Then I’d get a nanny to cook dinner and do my homework. They I’d buy a computer. I’d play computer games every day. Then I’d drive around the world. My life would be very different.
Sound remarkably like American kids, Jim. Guess not much different the world over, huh? However, that one child’s comment WAS shocking and disturbing. Is the extreme animosity the Chinese hold towards the Japanese visibly apparent in Yuxi and other places you’ve visited? I’d bet good money that you have had it filter into or been the topic of some conversations thus far. I’m curious to know your observations and insight given that child’s “savage” fantasy.
Yes, there is a high level of animosity toward the Japanese. Less than two years ago, there were anti-Japanese riots in Kunming (about an hour north of Yuxi) in which Japanese cars were torched and businesses that sold Japanese goods were wrecked.
Kids here have have that that animosity, though they don’t know why. When I teach students the English names of various countries, they invariably boo when Japan is mentioned.
Their parents have that animosity because of ongoing tensions with Japan over islands in the South China Sea and because they feel that Japan has never properly acknowledged its actions in World War II when it occupied much of China.
I taught twelve-years-olds for ten years. I loved them…never a dull moment. I admire you, Jim.
The rape of Nanking was the most horrific books I have ever read. It made me understand a feeling I had about Japan but could never justify until Nanking. There was a hate in me from an uncle that fought in the pacific. There where story’s that where only whispered when children where near. These feeling in me can only be magnified by the children and grand children of Japan’s victims. Japan’s 70 plus years of denial is salt in a wound so debase to ever be understood. What they did to a city in a few days took men without souls. So yes I can understand a child’s won’t for justice.