Page 21 - The Muse 2021

Ser bilingüe
por Martina Rodriguez 8th Grade
Ser bilingüe es una habilidad extraordinaria. Ser capaz de comunicarse con grupos de personas con culturas muy diferentes es increíble. Yo soy bilingüe y no lo cambiaría por nada del mundo. Nací en Miami, Florida, pero mi familia es de Colombia. Por eso hablo inglés y español. Mis papás querían asegurarse de que mis hermanos y yo habláramos ambos idiomas con fluidez porque es una parte muy grande de nuestra identidad. Me gusta mucho hablar en inglés pero cuando hablo español, puedo encontrar más palabras para describir cómo me siento y mi vocabulario es mucho más extenso en español.
Una de las muchas cosas buenas de ser bilingüe, es que puedo comunicarme con más personas porque hablo dos idiomas. También me encanta ser parte de dos culturas. Me encanta celebrar los festivos latinos y comer comida cultural. Una de las cosas negativas de ser bilingüe, es que a veces me confundo con las palabras. Puedo estar en la mitad de una conversación en inglés y de repente empiezo a hablar en español. Es muy raro pero pasa más frecuentemente de lo que piensas.
Ser bilingüe viene con muchas oportunidades para el futuro. Es más fácil encontrar trabajo cuando eres bilingüe porque hay trabajos que requieren que hables más de un idioma. También puedo conseguir un trabajo en un país latino o en cualquier parte del mundo que hable inglés.
Ser bilingüe es gran parte de mi identidad porque representa las dos culturas que amo y aprecio mucho. Soy parte de dos comunidades hermosas. Amo ser bilingüe.
Ara of the Amazon
by Mariajose Marenas
8th Grade
Blue Ribbon
Deep in the Amazon rainforest there was a kingdom called Maca Paca. What was interesting about this kingdom was that it was UNDISCOVERED. It was so deep in the Amazon that modern explorers had succumbed to the task of ever finding it. This was quite a shame considering the beauty that it held. Maca Paca was covered by fifty different types of trees, one seemingly taller than the other. The stone tepees had a curtain of plants draped over them like a protective sheet and the canals were filled with boats passing through, filled with people going on with their work. The palace was even more marvelous than the village, with waterfalls that poured into the canals, and stone walls with intricate designs.
Maca Paca’s king was the old and wise Rey Hapo. He had one daughter called Ara, who was next in line for the throne. One day Rey Hapo started getting a sharp pain in his lower back. He called the village doctor and said, “Doctor, Doctor. I have this pain that I cannot seem to escape.”
“Well, it seems that your royal highness has a unita,” replied the wise doctor.
“What's that? I have never heard of it,” asked Rey Hapo.
“It is fairly common in people of old age who work a lot,” said the doctor. “It is caused by stress, and I
recommend that you take a break.”
“Well, thank you very much, Doctor and have a good day,” Rey Hapo replied.
Rey Hapo slowly moved to his bed to rest and pondered about the news he just received. What should he do?
Should he remain king or retire? After a long nap he called in his servants so that they could send in for his daughter. Ara walked in. She noticed a sudden gloom over the room. The drapes were closed, and Rey Hapo had a stern look on his face. He motioned her to walk over to his bedside where he took her hand and held it firmly. His hand was
rather soft considering all the writing he had done over the 30 years of being a king.
“Look, I have to tell you something, Ara,” said Rey Hapo. “My bones are too frail, and my mind is weak. I have
done what my ancestors have predicted I would do - ruled a kingdom that still remains undiscovered by modern society. Now, the last thing I need to do as king is name the new queen. The stars all align to you, Ara. You will be the new queen of Maca Paca.”
“Um, Tayta,1 I do not think I am ready for the throne,” replied Ara. 21