magine sitting in a group of five to fifteen orphans from a third-world country, and they were all asking you questions.
What kind of questions would you expect?
The children and I usually sit in a tight circle, until it just becomes a tight knot with all of them leaning over in my lap and braiding my hair. This is when the questions are brought up. Many of the questions are the usual ones you ask when you first try to get to know someone. ‘How old are you?’ or, ‘What is your favorite food?’ and even ‘What grade are you in?’ But these kids also wonder about things you wouldn't expect. One of the funniest conversations I have had with them concerns my retainers. (I got my braces off shortly before coming here, so I still have to wear my retainers all the time.)
One of my buddies named Elizabeth, age 12, had her head in my lap. As I was talking with one of the others, she jumped up and opened her eyes wide.
“What is that in your mouth?” she questioned.
I didn't know how to explain what they were, so I just stuck with, “My teeth were messed up, so the dentist had to put them in my mouth to fix it.”
She looked confused, and told all of the others they had to come and see the “things in her mouth.”
Then the questions started rolling.
“Is it glass?”
“What do you do with them when you need to eat?”
“Do all of your teeth come out with them?”
I explained again, and they seemed to partially understand.
Then finally the big question came.
“Can you take them out and show us?”
I said no at first, but they were truly very curious and kept asking. So…I popped my top retainer off. I guess it must have scared them…
because they all screamed!!
They sat still for a moment after I put it back in, and then Elizabeth quietly said,
“Do it again?”
adventures in
africa
By Hannah Wilson.
11