Min tibetanska barndom i Zorgay - Life and Culture on the Tibetan ...

let us all leave.
"Friend Kondro, please don't try hard. Let's torture our
teacher. If we say we don't know, then what can she do?
Nothing. Right? Come on, don't kill yourself all the time doing
whatever the teachers ask," one said.
"If I don't memorize <strong>and</strong> recite it, I can't go home early
<strong>and</strong> then it will be dark. I'm afraid to walk alone in the dark," I
said, thinking about the ghosts in our village.
"It doesn't matter. She won't keep us that late. Please,
trust us," said another, rolling his book in his h<strong>and</strong>s.
"It's not a matter of trust. Please, friends, leave me
alone. Let's all try to memorize the lesson," I said politely. They
silently walked to our classroom.
Our teacher came to me <strong>and</strong> asked in concern, "Kondro
Tsering, can you recite it now?" I was unsure, for if I was
nervous, I would surely forget what I'd learned.
I said shyly, "Teacher, I'll try," gave her the book, began
reciting, <strong>and</strong> recited it perfectly without missing a single word.
"Excellent! Keep studying hard. You're making fine
progress in your studies these days," said the teacher, holding
her thumb up in praise.
"Kondro Tsering recited the passage <strong>and</strong> can now return
home. Does anyone else want to try?" she asked the murmuring
students around her. Their heads were down, hinting they were
not ready. "Then continue," the teacher said.
The students spitefully glared at me. I went to my two
'friends' <strong>and</strong> said, "Goodbye, friends. Good luck! See you
tomorrow." They were unhappy <strong>and</strong> did not even glance at me.
I then headed home along that steep path. I met Father coming
to pick me up when I was nearly halfway home, which cheered
my scared heart instantly.
"Oh my dear son, were you afraid? I came to meet you
because I was worried about you," said Father, putting my
schoolbag on his back.
"Father, I was the first student who recited the lesson," I
said proudly.
"Good! I'm happy you won't disappoint me," said
Father. "What did your teacher say?"
"She praised me <strong>and</strong> said I'm making progress in my
studies," I said, holding his h<strong>and</strong> to let him pull me so I could
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