MT01-11 My Dream

My Dream

*My Dream

On a bright summer morning, six-year-old Simba sat by the window, gazing at the globe beside him.

*On a bright summer morning, six-year-old Simba sat by the window, gazing at the globe beside him.

“Dad, why do you always say people all over the world are like one big family?” Simba asked one evening at the dinner table.

*“Dad, why do you always say people all over the world are like one big family?” Simba asked one evening at the dinner table.

His father smiled and poured some water into Simba’s glass.

*His father smiled and poured some water into Simba’s glass.

“Because, Simba, as you know, I work for the United Nations, maintaining peace. This allows me to meet people of many different nationalities. I get to know everyone, and I realize that we all have precious families and desire peace, and although we have differences, we all share the same important traits. It makes me feel like we are all fellow humans living on this planet called Earth.”

*“Because, Simba, as you know, I work for the United Nations, maintaining peace. This allows me to meet people of many different nationalities. I get to know everyone, and I realize that we all have precious families and desire peace, and although we have differences, we all share the same important traits. It makes me feel like we are all fellow humans living on this planet called Earth.”

“And when we argue or fight, there is no real winner. Peace helps everyone grow and learn from each other.”

*“And when we argue or fight, there is no real winner. Peace helps everyone grow and learn from each other.”

Simba’s eyes lit up. He wanted to be part of that kindness.

*Simba’s eyes lit up. He wanted to be part of that kindness.

The next day at school, his teacher asked, “Simba, what do you dream of becoming?”

*The next day at school, his teacher asked, “Simba, what do you dream of becoming?”

“I want to make friends with children all over the world and bring peace back home,” he answered.

*“I want to make friends with children all over the world and bring peace back home,” he answered.

His classmates clapped, and his teacher nodded approvingly.

*His classmates clapped, and his teacher nodded approvingly.

That afternoon, Simba played with his friends under the big oak tree in the schoolyard.

*That afternoon, Simba played with his friends under the big oak tree in the schoolyard.

He imagined greeting a child in France with “Bonjour!” and another in Brazil with “Oi!”.

*He imagined greeting a child in France with “Bonjour!” and another in Brazil with “Oi!”.

When he thought of his hometown, he remembered climbing the baobab tree at dawn, its massive branches reaching into the pastel sky as the sun painted the red earth gold.

*When he thought of his hometown, he remembered climbing the baobab tree at dawn, its massive branches reaching into the pastel sky as the sun painted the red earth gold.

He pictured the patches of sweet potato fields stretching across the valley, their lush leaves swaying in the warm African breeze.

*He pictured the patches of sweet potato fields stretching across the valley, their lush leaves swaying in the warm African breeze.

He heard the gentle murmur of the nearby river where he and his friends would splash and laugh under the sun.

*He heard the gentle murmur of the nearby river where he and his friends would splash and laugh under the sun.

Around him, he saw familiar faces—grandparents calling him home for a share of fresh yams, market vendors offering a friendly wave, and children waiting to play by the riverbank.

*Around him, he saw familiar faces—grandparents calling him home for a share of fresh yams, market vendors offering a friendly wave, and children waiting to play by the riverbank.

In that moment, he felt the embrace of a homeland that had nurtured him, filling his heart with pride and a promise to protect it always.

*In that moment, he felt the embrace of a homeland that had nurtured him, filling his heart with pride and a promise to protect it always.

“That promise,” Simba whispered to himself, “is to share the kindness of the world right here at home.”

*“That promise,” Simba whispered to himself, “is to share the kindness of the world right here at home.”

That night, he looked up at the stars and felt hope fill his heart.

*That night, he looked up at the stars and felt hope fill his heart.

Review Questions (Multiple Choice)

*Review Questions (Multiple Choice)

Why does Simba’s father work at the United Nations?

*Why does Simba’s father work at the United Nations?

a. To build skyscrapers

*a. To build skyscrapers