I had to pick up Sunshine from his Kindergarten yesterday as DH was busy at work and had several meetings. Papa and Mummy also joined us and we went to a park so that Sunshine could play for some time before we went home. He was in a nasty mood and started crying for a lolly pop as soon as we reached the park. I had to put in a lot of effort to calm him down somehow. While the drama was going on, a little blond boy approached us and tried to strike a friendship with Sunshine. He told me in halting German that he was from Ukraine. He was looked about 8 years old and usually Sunshine loves the company of older kids. But he was probably tired and did not pay any attention to the boy. So he left is alone.
A little later, when Sunshine and I were sitting on a bench, the little boy came to us and tried to play with Sunshine again. He tried talking to me again although he was finding it difficult. He asked me if I could speak any Russian. Unfortunately, I cannot. He then asked me if I spoke English. I obviously do, but the boy could speak only a few words in English. Nevertheless, we started a conversation in English and German and he told me that his name is Daniel, he is from Ukraine and he lives in Heidelberg with his mom. His dad is apparently still in Ukraine. He has started school in Heidelberg. An elegant and obviously affluent German lady was standing next to us and listening in on our conversation. She also tried asking him some questions, but he seemed to grow a little conscious and wandered away.
Later, I started thinking about Daniel and his circumstances. He must be feeling lonely in a new country where he can speak very little of the local language. He didn't seem to have any friends either. He must be missing his father. I felt like a total idiot because Papa can talk fluent Russian and I could have asked Daniel to talk to him. I could have got some more details about him and maybe help him find his feet in this new place.
Anyway, it is too late now and all I can do now is pray that Daniel finds some new friends soon and is happy here. I hope I will meet him again some day.
A little later, when Sunshine and I were sitting on a bench, the little boy came to us and tried to play with Sunshine again. He tried talking to me again although he was finding it difficult. He asked me if I could speak any Russian. Unfortunately, I cannot. He then asked me if I spoke English. I obviously do, but the boy could speak only a few words in English. Nevertheless, we started a conversation in English and German and he told me that his name is Daniel, he is from Ukraine and he lives in Heidelberg with his mom. His dad is apparently still in Ukraine. He has started school in Heidelberg. An elegant and obviously affluent German lady was standing next to us and listening in on our conversation. She also tried asking him some questions, but he seemed to grow a little conscious and wandered away.
Later, I started thinking about Daniel and his circumstances. He must be feeling lonely in a new country where he can speak very little of the local language. He didn't seem to have any friends either. He must be missing his father. I felt like a total idiot because Papa can talk fluent Russian and I could have asked Daniel to talk to him. I could have got some more details about him and maybe help him find his feet in this new place.
Anyway, it is too late now and all I can do now is pray that Daniel finds some new friends soon and is happy here. I hope I will meet him again some day.
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