A boy named Angel

This took me by surprise.

Angel retelling the story of Marco Flamingo Under the Sea to Marlene in the way only a 5-year-old can, his knowing finger pointing out familiar words, words that only moments ago I read to his small circle.

Marlene wandered over from another group, a silent, curious 3-year-old with soulful brown eyes and pigtails hoisted high on her head. With the flip of a page and the turn of a phrase, Angel transported his audience of one back under the sea where Marco swam with dolphins and slept on a whale's back. Looking like a miniature teacher in his button down shirt, Angel captured Marlene's attention - and mine.   

 

This sweet and simple act that resonated through the Head Start classroom as a sign that we made a difference - a small but mighty difference - the Operation Early Reading ladies from Assistance League of Chicagoland West.