Bao-er lifted her eyes as she was introduced to the new missionary. She had heard a lot about her. She did not understand why the congregation needed a young lady missionary. What could she do? Her eyes asked the question as she greeted Shooby - the new missionary.
Was there a mistake? Shooby was supposed to be a girl of twenty. This woman shaking Bao-er's hand had a head of shoulder-length-almost-all-white hair! Bao-er uttered her greetings shyly, quickly found a seat, and pretended to be occupied. She spoke English, but felt uncomfortable around "angmohs" (red-hair = Caucasians). Shooby took a seat close to Bao-er, and started fanning herself, not used to the oppressive equatorial heat. Bao-er felt threatened by the proximity of Shooby. A brilliant idea came to her mind. "Hey!" Bao-er addressed Shooby, "Why don't you move nearer to the fan up front?" When it came to putting a distance between Shooby and herself, Bao-er could summon enough courage to speak to Shooby. Shooby turned and said, "I'm O.K.!"
At that moment, Bao-er saw in Shooby, a girl as shy, and as uncomfortable as herself. Bao-er chided herself for thinking only of her own comfort.
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1 comment:
Nicely told story. Makes me feel as if I were there.
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