A New Way of Speaking

A New Way of Speaking

A New School Raj bites his nails as he and his mother wait in the school office. Today is Raj's first day of school in a new country, and he's nervous. His family just moved to the United States from India.

The principal, Ms. Alvarez, comes out of her office. Raj wonders if he should stick his hand out as his father taught him. “ This is how you greet someone in America, " his father said. " You must be Raj, " Ms. Alvarez says. She doesn't extend her hand. Raj feels some relief-he doesn't want to get his first handshake wrong!

His mother tells Ms. Alvarez that he earned high marks in English. Ms. Alvarez smiles and says, “ I can tell he is the apple of your eye. " He wonders what Ms. Alvarez means. He has seen no apples in his mother's eyes. “ You are wonderful like a juicy, sweet apple! " his mother says to him. Raj feels a smile spread slowly across his face.

A New Friend Ms. Alvarez escorts Raj to his new classroom and introduces him to his teacher, Mr. Washington. Mr. Washington reaches out his hand. Raj shakes it as his father showed him. “ Welcome! " Mr. Washington says. Raj smiles. His first handshake in the United States is a success.

“ Sandeep, come here, please, " Mr. Washington says. A boy with a big smile walks over. “ Raj, this is Sandeep. He will assist you during the school day. " “ Namaste, " Sandeep says. He places his hands together as he bows slightly. The greeting feels like a little bit of home. “ It is nice to meet another person from India. "