The Playground Translator
9ITALYSHORT STORY
Sofia
9/1/20251 min read
A new student named Mariam joined Sofia’s class.
Mariam spoke little Italian.
During lessons, adults helped her. At break, she stood alone.
Sofia knew only three words in Arabic, all learned from a neighbour.
She walked over and said them.
Unfortunately, one word meant cucumber.
Mariam laughed.
Sofia pointed toward the swings.
Mariam followed.
They communicated through gestures, drawings in dirt, and exaggerated facial expressions.
Other students wanted to play but became frustrated when Mariam did not understand rules.
Sofia created picture cards showing actions: run, stop, turn, safe, out, again.
The cards helped everyone.
Soon, children used them for younger students and for classmates who communicated differently.
Mariam learned Italian quickly. She began teaching Sofia Arabic words that were more useful than cucumber.
At the end of the year, the teacher asked Sofia why she had worked so hard.
“She looked bored.”
Mariam corrected her.
“I looked lonely.”
Sofia nodded.
Language had helped, but friendship began before either girl could say the right sentence.
It began when someone crossed the playground instead of waiting for the other person to do it.