The language barrier

[blue_lotus13]

Today I was walking near the parliament building when I saw a child of about five lying on the pavement, crying. I looked around, but there was no one around that I could identify as a parent. I went over to the child, and put out my hand.

"Mom?" I said in Mongolian. I pointed in all directions.
The child looked at me, still crying. I motioned, and the child got up and we began walking together slowly, towards the security booth at parliament.

I had to stand there, just watching, as the child cried, and I was finally able to get someone to notice us, so I could get them to ask the child where her parents were.
I really wanted to help, I really wanted to do something, and I couldn't communicate.

Life is hard without words. I have been wondering why I've been writing here so much, and I've been thinking that I might not write as much when I get back to Canada. But right now is a time of change, and transition and I need to document it to prove it happened.

Comments

[ex-oroboros138.livejournal.com]

thank you for stayin with her and helping.
it is really hard not to know the language.

[blue-lotus.livejournal.com]

Amphoteric, I agree with you completely. Lately, I just express myself so much by writing in here. As you know when I first got here, I was going through a lot of stress and had no one to talk to. At one point, I hadn't talked to anyone for five days.

Livejournal has really been a saving grace for me. I'm hoping that I'll be able to focus more on my other writing when I get back to Canada.

[star-blue.livejournal.com]

even trying to help is more than most people do, so i think you did a great thing. i know the language barrier is weird, though. it's amazing how many things are universals, when you can get past the desire to use a formal language.

the story reminds me of when i was in London, and a little boy jumped onto the subway train while the doors were closing. of course, the mom got left behind on the platform. while i stood there with my mouth open like an idiot, one person hit the emergency brake, another tried to comfort the little boy, and a group of people held the screaming mom away from the train because it was already moving. it was really scary, because i guess it was too late to stop the train. but apparently some security guards drove the woman to the next stop, and people on the train made sure she met up with her son.

i was so impressed by how quickly people reacted. they actually cared about the situation. i don't know, i can see the same thing happening in san francisco, and people just trying not look up from their newspaper. i hope i'm wrong, though.