One of the many perks (名詞:津貼) that I get to experience as a volunteer at CCHC’s summer program is being able to work with adorable (形容詞:可愛的) children that are eager to learn. Last week they learned about how to be a good neighbor. Before the lessons were taught, we asked the children to write down their thoughts about good neighbors, and here are their some of the responses.
I believe that a good neighbor is someone who reports any suspicious (形容詞:可疑性) activity. If your house gets robbed (動詞:搶劫,搶奪,打劫), and no one is watching your house, you would lose your house. A downside (名詞:消極的一面,負面,反面) to this is that if you were locked out and tried to climb through a window, your good neighbor would call the cops on you. (Raymond, 7th grade)
There are several qualities (名詞:質素,品質) of a good neighbor. One quality is for them to be considerate and caring to other neighbor and their neighborhood. A good neighbor would not disturb (動詞:干擾,打擾) and annoy (動詞:煩擾,打攪) their neighbor when it is unnecessary. In a good community, people make friends with their neighbors by showing respect and consideration (名詞:體貼,體諒). If a situation were to happen, people in that community can help and support others with their problems. (Kevin Wu, 7th 年級)
Good neighbors do not party too much because if they party all night, then, the neighborhood will not be able to sleep. (Jenny, 5th grade)
Being nice (名詞:友好的,友善的)! They would greet you every day and talk you. They will bring cookies to the neighbor who has kids. (Brandon Lee,5th grade)
A good neighbor should be responsible for their dogs. My neighbor leave their dogs poop (美國非正式用語:大便,屎) on the side walk. Good neighbors should not have parties every weekend, should not drive fast, turnout and drift. (Andy, 5th grade)
Ten quality of a good neighbor:
– should not be loud
– should not have parties all the time
– should have good manners
– should not have their dogs pooping on other’s driveway/lawn
– should be respectful
– should not park their car in others driveway
– should be helpful
– should not destroy other’s property (名詞:房產,建築,房子)
– No trespassing (名詞: 擅自進入)
– Should not drink too much (Samuel Lau, 7th grade)
The children’s responses are a bit underdeveloped (形容詞: 不發達,發育不全) in our “grown-up” perspective, but once we put on your child-prescription (名詞:處方,藥方) glasses, we’ll see that these kids actually know quite a lot about being a good neighbor! For example, the simplicity behind “giving cookies” represents how good neighbors should be hospitable (形容詞:熱情,友好的) and generous. The children also understand the importance of being respectful and courteous (形容詞:有禮貌) by explaining how good neighbors “do not throw parties every day” and pick up after their dogs.
As you can tell, these kids were off to a good start!
在角聲家庭中心的暑期成長計劃當義工的其中一個意外收獲，就是能服侍一群既可愛又勤奮好學的孩子們。上週，他們學習怎樣成為一個好鄰居。上課前，我們要求學生們，把他們認為一個好鄰居具備的質素寫下來，以下是他們的一些回應。
我相信一個好鄰居會對任何嫌疑的活動，作出舉報。如果你的家被搶劫，而沒有替你守望，你將來損失嚴重。反過來說，如果你被鎖在門外，然後嘗試爬窗進到屋子裡，你的好鄰居可能會報警拘捕你。 (Raymond, 7th grade)
好鄰居有許多美好的品質，其中一項就是處處為其他鄰居著想，不會無緣無故煩擾別人。在一個好的社區，人們會透過彼此尊重，互相體諒，跟其他鄰居交朋友。 如果有什麼事情發生，或遇到什麼困難，他們都能守望相助！ (Kevin, 7th 年級)
好鄰居不會有太多社交聚會，因為如果他們通宵達旦地派對，附近的鄰居就不能入睡了。(Jenny, 5th 年級)
好鄰居會照顧好他們的小狗。我的鄰居，常常讓他們的狗在路邊拉大便。好鄰居也不會每個週末開派對、不會超速、不會在窄路上飆車。 (Andy, 5th 年級)
好鄰居是友善的！每天他們會跟你問好，和你聊聊天。他們會給那些有小孩的鄰舍，準備一些甜餅乾。 (Brandon, 5th 年級)
好鄰居該有的十項品質：
- 不會喧嘩
- 不會常常開派對
- 有好的態度
- 不會讓小狗在別人的草地及行車道拉大便
- 尊重別人
- 不會把車子停泊在別人的行車道
- 不會毀壞別人的產業
- 不會擅自進入別人的房子
- 不會喝太多酒 (Samuel Lau, 7th grade)
孩子的想法，在我們成年人眼中，可能有點幼稚。然而，當我們套上孩子的眼鏡來看，我們將會發現，這些孩子其實蠻知道怎樣才是一個好鄰居。例如：簡簡單單的一句「送甜餅乾」，背後卻道出了一個好鄰居該是熱情友善、慷慨大方的大道理。好鄰居不會「每天開派對」、「會清理小狗的大便」等想法，正反映出孩子知道彼此尊重、待人彬彬有禮的重要性。由此可見，這些孩子已經有一個非常好的開始！
翻譯：秦黃業玲