Kevin is sixteen years old and studies at Maple Middle School in Taiwan. Every year, the school holds a big cultural fair to celebrate people from different countries. This year, Kevin signs up to volunteer for the whole day. He hopes to make the event pleasant for every guest who comes.
Many guests arrive from countries in Asia, such as Japan and South Korea. A few others come all the way from Canada. Kevin's main job is to translate short messages and help guests understand the program. At first, his tongue gets tied and he mixes up a few words. He feels a little silly, but he does not give up. He tells himself to keep calm and practise, and slowly he gets better.
One popular booth lets children learn how to sail a toy boat in a small pool of water. Nearby, a group of older students play tennis on the school court. Kevin lends his spare racket to a visitor who forgot to bring one. Over at the food station, volunteers serve a plain green salad and other simple dishes from around the world. Their goal is to satisfy every guest with healthy and easy-to-prepare food.
In the afternoon, Kevin notices a girl standing alone near the entrance. He learns that she is deaf and cannot hear the announcements. He uses simple gestures and writes on paper to start a short dialogue with her. He also gently guides a blind visitor to the food booth. By this point, Kevin begins to feel a deep sense of pride in his work.
Later, a volunteer sets up a computer and opens a language learning program. A small mouse icon moves across the screen as the program teaches basic greetings from different countries. Kevin watches with interest. By the end of the fair, more than eighty percent of the guests say they enjoy the event. The floor is a little dirty from all the activity, but no one minds cleaning it up.
As evening arrives, the temperature begins to freeze outside, so everyone stays inside till the final performance ends. The host tells a silly joke that makes the whole crowd laugh and clap. Kevin stands near the back of the room and smiles quietly.
He walks home filled with joy. He has connected with people from Asia, Canada, and many other places. He has learned that a simple word or a small gesture can bridge a gap between people of different tongues. He already looks forward to next year, when he hopes to do even better. It does not take a special license or a big talent to help others — just an open heart and the willingness to try.