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Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America
(Story)
We came in greeting Miss Lucienda and the rabbit Lucas before sitting down
at our table. Pablito at one side and Gabriela at the other. Rigoberta was
absent another day of classes, her chair empty. The children looked at Miss
Lucienda's smile and hand in the air when the school bell rang.
"Good morning" said the teacher.
"Good morning" we said.
"Please stand to pledge allegiance to the flag" Miss. Lucienda asked.
We heard the same words in all the school:
I pledge allegiance to the flag,
of the United States of America.
And to the Republic,
for which it stands,
one nation, under God,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
"Very good, my children" said Miss Lucienda. "Do you know the meaning
of this poem we just said?"
I said, "no" together with my classmates.
"Please come and sit with me and I will tell you what all children in this
country say in the mornings."
We sat elbow to elbow with our knees folded, looking at Miss Lucienda
sitting below the flag in our classroom. And she told us in a soft voice:
Juro
Do you know what it is like to have a true friend? It could be a classmate,
it could be a dog or cat, it could be your daddy, mommy, or brother or
sister. You will always want to share your friendship with your friend and
want them to always be happy.
a la bandera
The flag is a cloth, painted in the colors of our nation. It waves in the
breeze, hangs from a window on a special day or is seen in the corner of
our classroom to share our activities and games.
de los Estados Unidos de América,
Country where we live. There are 50 states which have come together to
protect each other, as true friends do. Together, they formed America. The
United States of America was born in the year 1776 and since this day, the
fourth of July, all in the country have shared the dream of all being equals.
The United States of America has accepted people from all over the world.
Some happy to arrive on its shores and others pushed, but all have the dream
of being equals. There is not one person who is more important than another
person.
Una nación,
The community of all the people together. A country, a path made of many people.
bajo Dios,
May God protect us as one community. May God protect our voice when we
speak and our dream when we wish to go forward into the future. May God
guide the hand of our community, so that we will not damage the flower nor
the seed of our dreams of peace and happiness.
indivisible,
We hope that our country goes ahead with life and unity.
con libertad
That we can decide what to do or what we want, free to dream and accomplish
our dream. We can walk or run forward, back or to the side if we wish,
without being guided by other countries.
y justicia
That the law of friends and people is equal for all.
para todos.
That we all are a community of one country.
We sat at our tables, with paper and crayons, paints and pencils,
construction paper and scissors. I drew a flag, red, white and blue.
Gabriela drew children playing in a garden. Pablo drew the 50 states of
the United States of America, Alaska looked like an onion, Florida like
a sock. Diego drew all the children of the country.
Denis O'Leary
Bilingual Teacher
Rio School District
Oxnard, California
©2001
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