As an American living in a foreign country, I get to experience so many new and different things. Take last week, for example: I got to be a judge at an English and German speaking contest.
Yes, I judged speakers based on their German. No, I don't know German.
Here's how it went down:
At a school visit at the beginning of the month, one of the English/German teachers asked me if I would be a judge for an English speaking contest that a German company was hosting. She said they always had good food. I said I was in.
So I showed up last week, not sure what to expect. Turns out, they had music, drama, English, and German. Once I got there and enjoyed a cup of tea, I was asked how my German was. I hesitated. "I can count to 5 on a good day..."
But we decided I would still judge them, since in addition to speaking skills, they were judged on their selection of what to recite and their delivery. And (toot my horn), I think I did a good job. The German judge and I agreed on almost all of our points for the German speakers. And I sincerely hope that none of them knew I don't speak a lick of German.
It was fun though. One girl delivered the whole story of the Deathly Hallows perfectly; unfortunately, speeches had a maximum time limit of 3 minutes, and if you're familiar at all with that story, you'll know it's a solid 7 minutes :)
My only regret was that not everyone could take home a prize, because it was so brave of all of them to participate.
The winner of the under 15 English category recited this poem, "My Doves," by Louisa May Alcott:
PPOSITE my chamber window,
On the sunny roof, at play,
High above the city's tumult,
Flocks of doves sit day by day.
Shining necks and snowy bosoms,
Little rosy, tripping feet,
Twinkling eyes and fluttering wings,
Cooing voices, low and sweet,--
Graceful games and friendly meetings,
Do I daily watch and see.
For these happy little neighbors
Always seem at peace to be.
On my window-ledge, to lure them,
Crumbs of bread I often strew,
And, behind the curtain hiding,
Watch them flutter to and fro.
Soon they cease to fear the giver,
Quick are they to feel my love,
And my alms are freely taken
By the shyest little dove.
In soft flight, they circle downward,
Peep in through the window-pane;
Stretch their gleaming necks to greet me,
Peck and coo, and come again.
Faithful little friends and neighbors,
For no wintry wind or rain,
Household cares or airy pastimes,
Can my loving birds restrain.
Other friends forget, or linger,
But each day I surely know
That my doves will come and leave here
Little footprints in the snow.
So, they teach me the sweet lesson,
That the humblest may give
Help and hope, and in so doing,
Learn the truth by which we live;
For the heart that freely scatters
Simple charities and loves,
Lures home content, and joy, and peace,
Like a soft-winged flock of doves.
