Evening star., 1938-03-13
March -, 1888

honorable parents proud too. She says the
school does this every year and now the time
has come again."
How nice, murmured FOng.
"She says there is more to it than even that
also. She says this is great big free country
but it wasn't once, and now it is. And she says
its free country because so many different
people come here with many different ideas.
Many foreigners from many foreign lands, but
I've all belong to one country now and are all
alike, and 50 we put on costumes of our native
ssountry and sing American songs and show we
: re all one big happy family even though we
fome from different countries, and it's teachers
5dea, but think it s silly"
Fong scratched his chin and said nothing.
! Teacher says that =" jim Wal paused
How he hated to tell this next. Teacher says
zach child should come dressed in costume of
lis own country, but l don't think it, good
hea."
\ Fong frowned. "A man should never be
ashamed of the proper dress of his own
|ountry.''
Jin-Wai knew that perfectly. Yet how could
e explain how he felt to his father? His father
sddn't have to go day after day to the American
thool. He wasn't laughed at and called names.
It had been difficult from the very first day.
He was the only Chinese boy in the classroom,
| Ind he wanted 50 much to make friends He
Ianted to be like the American boys, play the
ames they did, and understand all the beau
full swear words they used so humorously.
So after school he stepped over to group of
Joys and said, "Howdy?"
The boys turned and looked him over critic
lily. Hi, Chink, said one.
Like flied lcee?" said another
Then, "Chink! Chink! Chink!" they all
egan to yell jim Wal, without another word,
trned and fled. 1t wasn't until he reached the
brner out of hearing distance, from the taunts,
hat he stopped and wiped the tears of shame
som his eyes.
: After that he made no more attempts to be
-iendly, but kept to himself. And even though
e boys still called him "Chink," he had
armed to control his tears and keep his face
Prfectly expressionless, lest they see how much
icy were hurting him.
And now his father thought it would be nice
wear Chinese costume at the 'Celebra-
bn" How could he? The boys would laugh at
IN more than ever, and yell a lot more, too.
Then to his disnay his father said Il think
very good if you took your younger brother,
milling with you to the party. He has never
ben, and it will be a new experience for him."
j Party - party - party!" cried Hing.
q He is only four years DID,"
: One is never too old to learn" responded
.bng. HE will not disgrace you When one is
il father of two sons, one looks with humble
1t becoming pride upon their appearance in
4lblic correctly dressed in the costume of their
ative country" Jin-Wai went to bed that
fght sad at heart.
Had Jin-Wai been an American boy he
ould have argued with his father, pleaded,
uade threats, stormed, and done everything
Rssible to keep from being dressed up." But
ling Chinese and trained in obedience, had his
fher told him to cut off his hand - he would
bbably have hesitated moment - and then
eyed. Better to lose hand than to cause
tlr honorable parent to lose face.
His father had spoken. and also Hing was
fnly anticipating the party. He would not
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