圖片出處: https://bit.ly/3SlF5Jc
Today, two kids came knocking at my door. It’s a snow day in Vancouver, and we’re expecting about 20cm of snow. Schools are closed, so instead of just enjoying a day off and playing video games, they came to work.
今天，有兩位孩童敲了我家的門。溫哥華下雪了，預計會積起約20公分厚的雪。學校皆已停課，但他們並未待在家裡打電動或享受這個偷得的整日閒，而是選擇到我家來工作。
When I opened the door, they asked if I wanted my sidewalk shoveled. The kids looked a bit small, and I thought they were around fourth grade. I inquired about their fee, and they suggested any amount I preferred, noting most people donate three dollars. Very professional. They knew exactly what I was thinking. I went back inside and handed them $5 each. I wanted to reward their initiative and also asked them to shovel my neighbor’s sidewalk. The two kids chose to work and engage with their neighbors instead of just playing. I also had to work when I was young and I can empathize with the desire to become independent and be in charge of yourself.
開門後，他們問我想不想清理人行道上的積雪。孩子們的個頭看起來有點小，我目測他們大概只有四年級。我問了他們收費標準，他們卻說金額隨意，並指出多數人會捐3加幣。非常專業。他們完全知道我在想什麼。我回到屋內，給了他們每人5加幣。我想獎勵他們積極進取的行為，並也請他們協助鄰居清理人行道。這兩位孩子選擇與鄰居一起工作、互動而非玩耍。年輕時，我也必須工作，我完全能體會那渴望獨立與自主的感覺。
After some shoveling, I invited them in for hot chocolate. Before they came in, I first cautioned them about the dangers of entering a stranger’s home. They assured me they knew almost everyone in the neighborhood, and it turned out they knew I was the newcomer. I moved here about two months ago. They also emphasized their caution, showing their awareness.
在鏟了一陣子雪後，我邀請他們入內享用熱巧克力。在他們進屋前，我先告誡了他們進入陌生人家中的危險。他們向我保證，他們幾乎認識社區裡的每一個人，而且他們也知道我是新來的。我大約在兩個月前搬來這裡。他們也強調自己非常謹慎，表現出他們的小心。
My wife and I offered them hot Milo and chocolates, sparking a conversation. Their father, formerly a doctorate student at UBC, lived across the street. We had a pleasant chat about their lives, talking about their parents, school, their travels, and even our newborn baby. The boys, aged 10 and 12, were saving for a soda carbonator costing 40 CAD. After their hot chocolate, they left when we needed to attend to the baby. Their maturity and adult-like demeanor impressed me.
我跟老婆請他們喝熱美祿及吃些巧克力，開啟了一場談話。他們的父親——也曾為UBC的博士生——住在對面。我們開心地聊了他們的生活、父母、學校、旅行，甚至我們初生的寶寶。這兩位男孩分別是10歲跟12歲，正在為一臺40加元的碳酸水機存錢。喝完熱巧克力後，我們正好需要照顧寶寶，他們也就離開了。他們的成熟與成人般的舉止，在我心中留下了深刻的印象。
I’m sharing this story to highlight the significance of autonomous work and community in a child’s development. Through performing light work and saving, they learn responsibility and financial management. Through their interactions with me, they also develop negotiation skills and problem-solving abilities for life’s challenges. Moreover, through saving for a carbonator machine, they learn that it takes many steps and even setbacks before achieving a bigger goal, and by accomplishing this goal, they gain the confidence to tackle greater things in the future.
我之所以分享這個故事，乃為突顯出自主性的工作與鄰里對兒童發展的重要性。透過工作與儲蓄，他們懂得了責任及財務管理。在與我互動的過程中，他們還精進了談判技巧以及解決生活中各式挑戰的能力。此外，為碳酸水機存錢，使他們了解到在實現較大的目標前，需歷經諸多階段乃至遭遇挫折。而在達成此一目標的剎那，他們會變得更有自信，也將能應對未來那更為艱難的挑戰。
The benefit of performing these simple chores is not limited to the children themselves as it also plays a vital role in uniting the community. Our interaction helped us learn about each other and our simple yet shared community goals for the day-just clearing snow and staying warm. We connected over commonalities and a willingness to help each other, showcasing our humanity.
這些簡單的雜務不僅能裨益孩童，也能團結整個鄰里。我們的互動讓我們瞭解彼此，也共享了當天我們社區的簡單目標——清理積雪與保暖。我們因共性與相互扶持的意願而有所連結，展現了我們推己及人的愛（humanity）。
In an era where fear, resentment, and anger are exploited for power, and social media algorithms amplify divisive content, it’s crucial to remember our core similarities. We all seek peaceful lives, work towards a better future, and nurture the next generation. We bond easily over shared daily experiences and our core community triumphs over our differences. The sense of community is crucial, and these kids excellently fostered that today. While they do need to be cautious and could be guided, the values behind their actions today – learning life lessons through autonomous work and strengthening community bonds – should be central in our education.
在一個利用恐懼、恨意與憤怒以攫取權力的時代，社群媒體的演算法放大了對立的內容。銘記我們最核心的相似點，這非常重要。我們都追求平靜的生活，努力創造一個更美好的未來，並且養育下一代。共同的日常經歷以及鄰里間的核心關懷使人們得以團結一致，這勝過彼此的差異。鄰里的觀念格外重要，而今日這些孩子便極佳地培養了此一觀念。他們雖需謹慎，容需他人指點，但他們行動背後的價值觀——透過自主性工作學習人生的課題並加強鄰里間的聯繫——應置於我們教育的核心。