Il Bambino Caparbio

Il mio nome è la signora Thompson.

My name is Mrs. Thompson.

Insegno in seconda elementare.

I teach second grade.

Voglio parlarti di Emma. Emma non ascolta mai.

I want to tell you about Emma. Emma never listens.

Quando dico

When I say

"siediti,"

"sit down,"

lei si alza.

she stands up.

Quando dico

When I say

"stai zitto,"

"be quiet,"

lei canta canzoni ad alta voce.

she sings loud songs.

Quando dico

When I say

"cammina piano,"

"walk slowly,"

lei corre veloce.

she runs fast.

Ogni giorno è lo stesso.

Every day is the same.

Emma fa l'opposto di tutto.

Emma does the opposite of everything.

One morning, I have an idea.

I am very tired of Emma's behavior.

"Emma,"

I say,

"please do NOT clean your desk today."

Emma looks confused.

Then she starts cleaning her desk very well.

"Emma,"

dico,

I say,

"please do NOT help your friends."

Emma runs to help Sally with her math.

She helps Tom pick up his crayons.

"Emma,"

I say,

"please do NOT raise your hand."

Emma's hand goes up high.

She wants to answer every question.

All day, I tell Emma NOT to do good things.

And Emma does all the good things!

The other children watch.

They think this is very funny.

At the end of the day, Emma comes to my desk.

"Mrs. Thompson,"

she says,

"I had a very good day today."

"Yes, Emma,"

"Sì, Emma,"

I say.

dico.

"You did."

"L'hai fatto."

"Tomorrow, can you tell me NOT to do good things again?"

"Domani, puoi dirmi di NON fare cose buone di nuovo?"

I smile.

Sorrido.

"Emma, I think you understand now."

"Emma, penso che tu capisca adesso."

"You can choose to be good all by yourself."

"Puoi scegliere di essere buona da sola."

Emma nods.

Emma annuisce.

"I will try."

"Ci proverò."

And she does.

E lo fa.

Sometimes Emma still forgets.

A volte Emma dimentica ancora.

But now she remembers that being good feels better than being willful.

Ma ora ricorda che essere buoni è meglio che essere testardi. Fine.

The end.