Happy National Tell a Story Day!

It’s National Tell a Story Day! 

My blog theme is all about food, recipe, cooking, baking etc, but today I’d like to tell a story that made me wonder while talking with my dinner buddy the other day. 

In Japan, elementary school kids go to school in a group. The group consists of around 10 people aged from 6~12, and those who are the oldest become leaders. Every morning, these kids gather in a designated area and when everyone is there, we make a long single line and go to school together. A leader is in front of the line, and next is 1st grader, 2nd grader…and the last one is another leader. 

 

The front leader is responsible for making sure the way is clear, pacemaker, and make sure members, especially the 1st grader, are alright. When the signal is getting green and we’re a little far from that, the front leader shouts “we’re running!” and try everyone to cross the road at once(The group shouldn’t be separated no matter what the reason is, so it’s another responsibility that the leader watches for the timing of signal changes.)

 

The back leader is responsible for making sure our line is a beautiful single line. As Japanese roads are narrow and share lanes with bicycles, the line should stay as neat as possible, and when the bicycle comes from the back, the leader in the back must shout “bicycle is coming!” to make members aware of that. (similar thing happens when someone is walking their dogs. The back leader shouts “here comes a dog!” and every member cries “cuuuuute”)

 

I went to elementary school everyday like this, so I am a little bit jealous of American kids who go to school by riding the school bus or their parents drive them to school. When we got to school, we’re always a little sweaty from walking about 15 min under the already-waking-up-and-shining-so-brightly-summer-sun. 

 

Now, it’s the end of April. The Japanese academic calendar starts in April, so kids should be getting used to the new lifestyle…or not. Around the end of April or May, we often hear parents complain like this. 

 

“Omg, my kid came back crying again from the group! Now I have to drop them off at school.”

 

Usually under this situation they’re typically 1st graders, and they don’t mean they were bullied or anything… the top 3 reasons(under my observation) are below.

 

1. They miss their mom/dad while heading to school. 
2. They miss their pets.
3. They just aren’t in the mood for going to school. 

 

As a result of this, the leader had to take the crying kids either to school by holding hands or sending the kids back to their house. If the kids chose to go back home, the leader had to run to school after that or share the ride with crying kids. 

 

I told this story to my dinner buddy who grew up in the US, but he didn’t get why it happens. The first thing is of course they go to school by parents’ car or bus, so it must be too far for kids’ feet so they gave up. The next thing is he simply never seen kids crying in the school missing their home. I talked about #3 above but he was like “then that kid gets a slap.” 

 

Now I’m curious, is my story familiar to you, or how did you go to school and how you felt about it, especially when you’re an elementary school student? I’m looking forward to your story!

 

As my blog theme is food, let me share old recipes too.

 

<Perfect Afterschool Treats Ideas>

Fruits jelly is kids’ favorite! Loquat

Or a little filling-good treats for the day’s reward! Banana Bread

Do you remember how refreshing it was? Coke(please omit rum from this recipe!)

Enjoy home cooking and your own creation of homemade food:)