written by Weronica Leasiolaqi Barber
illustrated by Joy L. Goodenow

I le tausaga e 1976, sä alu malaga 'ese mai Päfuti ma Sämoa mo Hawaii ma sä nofo o ia i se tasi uso o lona tinä. Sä 'ämata o ia i le vasega ono i se tasi o ä'oga i Leeward, Oahu, Hawaii.

Sä lë fia alu Päfuti i le ä'oga i le 'ämataga. Na ia maua ni tala fa'apea e talië ma tausua ni isi tamaiti ä'oga 'iä 'ilätou e lë lelei le tautala fa'aPeretania. Sä lë mana'omia e Päfuti lea tülaga.

I le ulua'i aso o Päfuti i le ä'oga, sä te'i o ia i le feiloa'i ma le Sui Puleä'oga o Mrs. Valdez. Na ia 'avatu Päfuti e feiloa'i ma le Puleä'oga.

"Päfuti," le tala a Mrs. Valdez, "fa'atälofa 'iä Mr. Oshiro le Puleä'oga."

Sä matamuli Päfuti e tautala 'ae na fa'apea atu a Mr. Oshiro, "Good morning, Päfuti."

'Ae lë tautala lava Päfuti.

"Päfuti," e mafai ona 'e fa'atalofa 'iä Mr. Oshiro?" 'Ae lë tautala Päfuti, na'o le pupula i lalo. Ona tula'i 'ese lea o le ali'i pule ma lona nofoa ma fa'apea atu, " 'Aua 'e te matamuli Päfuti. E mätou te fia fesoasoani 'iä te 'oe. O le aogä fo'i lenä o le ä'oga o lou a'oa'o ai o ni mea fou. 'Ua 'ou fiafia tele fo'i i lou ulufale i lenei ä'oga. E to'atele ni isi tamaiti ä'oga e ö mai mai Sämoa ma e popöto 'ilätou e tautala Sämoa. 'Ou te iloa fo'i tautala Sämoa fa'apea, talofa. E mafai ona 'e fa'atalofa mai 'iä te a'u?"

Sa tilotilo lëmü atu Päfuti 'iä Mr. Oshiro ma si ona leo taulëlagona ma fa'apea atu, "Talofa."

"Lelei tele Päfuti! Taumafai e tautala mai," tala a Mr. Oshiro. "Ö ma Mrs. Valdez i lau vasega. E tele se fesoasoani 'e te maua i ou faiä'oga. A iai fo'i se mea 'e te mana'omia ai se fesoasoani mai 'iä te a'u ona 'e sau lea, 'ua 'e iloa?"

'Ae lue atu le ulu o Päfuti e fa'ailoa atu ai 'iä Mr. Oshiro 'ua lelei.

I le vasega a Päfuti, e to'atolu ni ona faiä'oga. Sä feiloa'i muamua 'uma 'ilätou ma Päfuti. Ona tago atu lea o se tasi o faiä'oga 'ua u'u le lima o Päfuti ma fa'apea atu, "Vasega 'ou te fia fa'afeiloa'i atu Päfuti So'oto. O Päfuti e sau mai Sämoa ma o le'ä ä'oga o iä i la tätou ä'oga. E tou te manatua le upu fa'afeiloa'i i le fa'aSämoa."

"Talofa," le tali a tamaiti ä'oga.

"Lelei tele," tala a le faiä'oga. "Fai fa'atasi mai le upu o le feiloa'iga i le fa'aSämoa e fa'amäsani mai ai iä Päfuti."

"Talofa Päfuti."

"Talofa," le tali taulëlagona a Päfuti.

"Päfuti," tala a le faiä'oga, "fa'amäsani i ou fesoasoani (sponsors) o Tony ma Gina. E iloa e Gina fa'aSämoa ma e mafai ona ia fesoasoani malosi 'iä te 'oe. E taumafai 'ilaua e fesoasoani atu 'iä te 'oe mo le sololeleia o ou aso muamua i le ä'oga. E lä'ua te fa'asino atu 'iä te 'oe le malae tä'alo ma itü'äiga ta'aloga e faia e tamaiti. E lä'ua te fa'asino atu fo'i le kafetiria, o le fale lenä e 'a'ai ai tagata i le aoauli. E lä'ua te 'avatu 'oe i le faletusi ma fa'asino atu le fa'aaogäina. Fa'apenä ona lä'ua 'avatu 'oe e feiloa'i ma le teine foma'i o le ä'oga ma le mea 'e te alu 'i ai pe'ä tigä se mea o lou tino pe 'e te lavea. E lä'ua te 'avatu 'oe e feiloa'i ma le failautusi o le ä'oga. O ia lenä 'e te va'aia pe'ä 'e mana'omia le fa'aaogäina o le telefoni. 'A'o mätou ma isi faiä'oga, e tätou te galulue fa'atasi mo le 'äga'i 'i luma o lau ä'oga ma lou mälamalama. E iai se mea 'e te fia fesili ai i lenei taimi?"

'Ae lülü atu le ulu o Päfuti i le faiä'oga e lëai se fesili. Fautua atu lea o Gina 'iä Päfuti, "E mafai ona 'e tautala 'iä Mrs. Smith e lëai ni au fesili, o se tülaga fa'aaloalo lenä i lö le lülü o lou ulu."

Ona fa'apea lea o si tala a Päfuti, "Lëai se fesili" ma si ona leo taulëlagona lava.

"Lelei tele lou taumafai," tala a Mrs. Smith. "Ö ma Gina ma Tony e fa'ailoa atu 'iä te 'oe mea 'ese'ese o le faleä'oga. 'Ae se'i tätou fa'atoä 'ämata lelei i le 'uma o le 'aiga o le aoauli."

I mäsina na soso'o ai, sä mäofa faiä'oga i le lelei o Päfuti i le kukaina o mea'ai. E mäsani o ia ona kuka i le fale ma 'ave ifo se isi väega o mea e na te kukaina i le ä'oga mo faiä'oga ma le vasega. E fa'apea ona lelei tele o Päfuti i le siva pe'ä fai polokalama o siva ma pese a le ä'oga. E o'o fo'i i le tä'alo i so'o se ta'aloga, e lelei tele le tä'alo a Päfuti. E mafai e ia ona tusi ni ata mananaia ma vali pei lava o tagata e lätou te faia lea galuega. E lelei tele fo'i o ia i le numera, 'ae fai si ona vaivai i le galueäina o numera, fuai'upu. E le faigatä 'iä te ia le sipelaina o 'upu ta'itasi, 'ae fa'afitäuli 'iä te ia le fa'avasegaina o fuai'upu ma le fa'aaogäina o le kalama fa'aPeretania. E tauloto 'uma e Päfuti igoa o paneta 'ese'ese o le lalolagi ma isi mea o lana vasega saienisi (science), 'ae faigatä 'iä te ia ona mälamalama i fuai'upu sasa'o. E tauloto ma iloa fo'i e ia igoa o nu'u 'ese'ese o le lololagi, 'ae faigatä 'iä te ia ona mälamalama i tala fa'asolopito.

Fa'auta, e tele se a'oa'oga maoa'e o Päfuti e maua i lona mätauina ma va'ava'ai lelei mea a le faiä'oga e fai ma mea e tutupu. 'Ae vaivai o ia i tala fa'asolopito ma le galueäina o numera fuai'upu i le lë lelei o lana faitau. Toe ätili le fitä o le matä'upu o le lë fiafia o Päfuti i faitau.

Ona fono ai lea o ona faiä'oga ma le ali'i pule, Mr. Oshiro ma tasi ai la lätou fuafuaga e tu'u Päfuti i le vasega fa'apitoa mo le faitau.

Sä taumafai lava le faiä'oga o le vasega faitau e fesoasoani atu 'iä Päfuti. Sä faitau o ia 'iä Päfuti ma fa'amatala atu 'iä te ia le uiga o tala 'ese'ese. Sä fesoasoani atu o ia 'iä Päfuti mo le fa'aleoina o 'upu ma ia fa'amatala atu le uiga o ata. Sä ia taumafai ni tülaga 'ese'ese e mafai ai e Päfuti ona faitau ma ia mauaina le uiga tonu o le tala i lona iloa fa'avasega manatu täua mai manatu fa'alëtäua.

Sä faia e le faiä'oga ni pepa malö (cards) ma tusi ai ni fuai'upu ma ni isi lava 'upu o le kalama fa'aPeretania. Sä ia fa'amälamalama atu 'iä Päfuti le 'ese'esega o ia mea 'uma ma o lätou uiga. Sä ia fa'atonuina Päfuti e na te tusi'ina ni fuai'upu pupu'u i le fa'ai'uga o tala ta'itasi e iloa ai lona mälamalama i le tala. Sä faia e Päfuti lea tülaga ma le lelei 'ato'atoa. 'Ae pagä faiga lelei 'uma a le faiä'oga, sä musu lava Päfuti i faitau to'atasi.

"E iai le mea e musu ai Päfuti i faitau," tala a le faiä'oga 'iä te ia lava. " 'Ou te iloa!"

I le aso na soso'o ai, sä fai atu le faiä'oga i le vasega 'ätoa, "Va'ai mai 'outou i tusi 'uma ia na 'ou sau ma a'u. E iai le tusi o le tama na lëiloa. O le tusi lea o se 'äiga na ö atu i Kalifonia e su'e le auro. 'Ou te mana'o 'iä te 'outou 'uma e sau le tagata lätou e filifili (piki) atu le tusi e fia faitau ai. A maua le tusi 'e te fiafia 'i ai, ona faitau lava lea o le tusi a le tagata ia. A mae'a ona auaua'i ta'ito'atasi mai lea o outou 'uma lava e fa'amatala i le vasega 'ätoa le tala o le tusi na 'e faitauina." Sä fa'apea ona faia e le vasega 'ätoa.

Na alu atu fo'i Päfuti ma tilotilo i le faula'igätusi, 'ae na toe nofo o ia i lalo ma le lëai o sana tusi na filifilia.

Ona fesili atu lea o le faiä'oga, "Päfuti, e lëai se tusi o nei tusi 'uma 'e te fia faitau ai?"

"E lëai," le tali a Päfuti ma punou i lalo lona ulu i le maligi o ona loimata.

" 'Aua 'e te tagi Päfuti," tala a le faiä'oga. "E iai se mea o 'oe e tigä?"

"E lëai."

" 'Aiseä 'ua 'e tagi ai?"

" 'Ou te fia faitau tusi, 'ae lëai lava se tusi 'ou te tau 'i ai 'ou te fia faitau ai."

Fai atu lea o le faiä'oga, "O le'ä le itü'äiga tusi 'e te fia faitau ai?"

'Ae tali Päfuti, "Oi faiä'oga, 'ou te misia lava o'u matua. "Ou te iloa si o'u tinä e lë faigaluega. 'Ae 'ou te fia faitau la i se tusi e fa'amatala mai ai le galuega a si o'u tamä o lo'o fai."

Fa'apea atu lea o le faiä'oga, "E faigofie lenä mea. O taeao, ona tätou ö 'uma lea i le faletusi telë o le sitete. 'Ou te talitonu 'e te maua ai 'i'inä se tusi o le itü'äiga galuega o lo'o faia e lou tamä."

I le aso na soso'o ai, sä taulëmänofo Päfuti i le fia o'o i le faletusi. Sä fa'apea fo'i isi tamaiti o le vasega. 'Ae na sili atu le fiafia o Päfuti 'auä sä talitonu o ia e maua i le faletusi se tusi o le galuega a lona tamä o fai. O se faletusi telë le faletusi o le sitete, ma sä alu ai le aso 'ätoa o le vasega o tilotilo i tusi ma faitau.

'Ae pagä fo'i lea, e lë i maua ai e Päfuti se tusi e pei ona ia mana'omia. Ona fesili atu lea o le faiä'oga, "Päfuti, 'ua 'e maua se tusi 'e te fia faitau ai?"

"E lëai," le tali a Päfuti. " 'Ua 'uma lelei ona 'ou tilotilo i le faletusi 'ätoa, e lëai se tusi e fa'amatala mai ai le itü'äiga galuega o lo'o fai e lo'u tamä. 'Ua 'uma fo'i ona 'ou fesili i le tama'ita'i pule o le faletusi mo se fesoasoani, 'a'o lana tali e lëai se tusi e maua ai se tala'aga o le itü'äiga galuega o lo'o faia e lo'u tamä."

"Oka oka e," le mäofa a le faiä'oga, " 'ou te lë talitonu e lë maua i lenei faletusi telë le tusi o 'e mana'o ai. Masalo e sili ona e ta'u mai 'iä te a'u le itü'äiga galuega o lo'o faia e lou tamä."

"Ioe," le tali a Päfuti. "O lo'u tamä o se Matai Sämoa ma o ia o se Ali'i. E na'o le pau lenä o le mea 'ou te iloa. O le ala lenä o lo'u fia faitau i se tusi e fa'amatala mai ai ana galuega 'ese'ese o lo'o fai."

"O fea nei...?" le tala a le faiä'oga, " 'Ou te lë manatuaina fo'i se tusi fa'apenä i le tele o fonotaga e fa'aalia ai tusi o motu ma tagata o le Pasefika. Toe o le isi mea, na 'ou fa'alogo o Matai Sämoa e lë faigaluega pei ona mäsani ai tagata Amerika. E ö atu 'ilätou i fono ma talatalanoa ma isi matai, 'ae säunia e tagata i lalo ifo o lätou au'äiga ma pule'aga a lätou meatausami. E lëai se isi galuega a lou tamä o fai?"

"E lëai," le tali a Päfuti. " 'Ua 'uma fo'i ona 'ou fesili i lo'u aunt 'ae fai mai a ia e tele ni galuega a lo'u tamä o lo'o fai i lona tülaga matai, o se galuega fitä."

Sä valu le ulu o le faiä'oga ma sävalivali solo i le taumäfaufau le mea e maua ai se tusi o mana'o ai Päfuti. "Ou te iloa!" lana tala fa'atopetope. ''Se'i o'u telefoni i le falemata'aga o Bishop (Bishop Museum). E tatau ona iai se tusi fa'apenä. E tele 'iä 'ilätou ni tusi o le Pasefika."

"Fa'afetai Miss Davis," tala a Päfuti. " 'Ou te iloa lava lou e taumafai e fesoasoani mai 'iä te a'u, fa'afetai."

Sä telefoni atu Miss Davis i le Bishop Museum 'ae sä lëai se tusi e pei ona mana'omia e Päfuti. Ona säili atu lea e Miss Davis i isi faletusi, 'ae 'ua matuä lëai lava se tusi fa'apea.

I le taeao na soso'o ai, na alu atu vave Päfuti i le ä'oga ma lona manatu 'ua maua e Miss Davis le tusi o lo'o fia faitau ai. Ina 'ua iloa atu e Miss Davis Päfuti i tala ane o le faitoto'a, sä fai atu o ia, "Päfuti, sau i totonu o le potu."

"Fa'afetai Miss Davis," le tali a Päfuti. "O fea o iai?"

"Päfuti, talofa i lou naunau," tala a Miss Davis. " 'Ua 'ou fiu e säili i mea 'uma 'ou te iloa e tatau ona maua 'i ai le tusi o 'e mana'o ai, 'ae 'ua matuä lëai se tusi fa'apenä. 'Ae 'aua le fa'avaivai ai lou loto. 'Ou te manatu, a 'e tusi sa'o lava i si ou tamä ma fa'amolemole 'i ai e tusi fa'amatala mai ana galuega o lo'o fai, e fiafia o ia i lenä tülaga.

"E sa'o a 'oe, 'aiseä na 'ou le faia ai lenä tülaga mai i le 'ämataga. 'Ua manaia tele lou manatu, Miss Davis."

"E sa'o ä oe," tala a Päfuti "aiseä na 'ou le faia ai lenä tülaga mai i le 'ämataga. 'Ua manaia tele lou manatu." Ona tusi lea o se tusi a Päfuti i ona matua.

Mo o'u matua peleina,

'Ou te talitonu o manuia pea 'oulua matua peleina. O lo'o manuia 'uma 'imätou i Hawaii. 'Ou te misia tele lava 'oulua ma 'ou te manatua pea 'oulua i taimi 'uma.

E iai se tusi na taumafai lava si o'u faiä'oga e su'e mo a'u, 'ae 'ua lëai lava se faletusi i Hawaii e maua ai lea tusi. O le mea lea 'ua 'ou tusi atu ai ma le fa'amoemoe o le'ä iai se taimi o tamä e tusi mai ai 'iä te a'u. 'Ou te fia iloaina au galuega o fai i lou tülaga matai. E o'otia lava a'u i le fa'anoanoa 'ou te lë iloa au galuega o fai e mafai ai ona 'ou fa'amatala atu i isi tamaiti ä'oga. A fa'amatala mai e 'ilätou galuega a lätou matua e fai, 'ou te fia fa'amatala atu fo'i 'iä 'ilätou au galuega.

Fa'amolemole tamä, tusitusi mai. O le'ä 'ou fa'atali atu lava i sau tusi ma se fa'amatalaga o au galuega fa'amatai.

O le'ä gata ai le tusi. 'Ou te alofa tele mo 'oulua ma tinä. 'Ou te alofa atu fo'i i nai o'u uso ma tuagane ma le 'äiga 'ätoa.

Love
Päfuti

Tu'u atu lea e Päfuti lana tusi 'iä Miss Davis e na te faitauina po 'ua lelei. "Päfuti, manaia tele lau tusi," tala a Miss Davis.

"Fa'afetai."

Fesili atu lea o le faiä'oga, "E iai se teutusi ma se stamp o lau tusi?"

"E lëai," le tali a Päfuti.

"Ia," tala a Miss Davis, " 'avatu la'u teutusi lea ma le stamp 'e te fa'aaogäina e lafo ai lau tusi."

"Fa'afetai, Miss Davis."

I ale vaiaso na soso' o ai, sä maua se pusa Päfuti mai Sämoa i le meli. Ona tatala lea e Päfuti le pusa ma maua ai sona ofu fa'afuälä'au manaia ma ni taulima uga. 'Ae afïfï i totonu o le ofu se teutusi pa'epa'e telë o lo'o fa'atuätusi fa'apea, "Mai 'iä Tamä mo Päfuti."

Sä iloa e Päfuti le mea o lo'o i totonu o le teutusi pa'epa'e, 'ae sä fa'atali o ia e fa'amatamata muamua 'i ai Miss Davis ona fa'atoä tatala lea.

I le taeao na soso'o ai, na alu atu vave Päfuti i le ä'oga. Ina 'ua ia va'aia Miss Davis, na tamo'e atu ma fa'afetaui 'iä te ia. "Va'ai Miss Davis, 'ua ou mauaina se tusi mai i lo'u tamä."

"Lelei tele," tala a Miss Davis. "Ta ö i le potu ona 'e fa'amatala mai lea o galuega a si ou tamä o fai. 'Ua 'ou fiafia tele mo 'oe."

"Fa'apenä fo'i a'u Miss Davis. 'Ua fa'atumulia a'u i le fiafia," tali a Päfuti. Na ö atu 'ilä'ua i le potu. Tago lea o Päfuti 'ua tatala le teutusi pa'epa'e.

" 'Ese le 'umï o le tusi," lana tala. "E iloa mai i lona mäfiafia. Ai lava se tele o ni galuega a si o'u tamä o fai, talofa e!" 'Ua matala le tusi ona tilotilo lea o Päfuti i laupepa ta'itasi. Peita'i 'ua ia lë iloa lana mea 'äfai, 'ua na'o le sioa i le tusi.

Tapa atu lea o Miss Davis, "Päfuti, e iai se mea 'ua tupu? E sili 'i'ä te 'oe lou faitau to'atasi, 'ou te mälamalama."

"E lëai, Miss Davis," le tali a Päfuti ma ona loimata maligi. " 'Aua 'e te amanaia a'u ma la'u tagi. O a'u 'ou te tagi pe'ä 'ou fiafia, e fa'apenä fo'i pe'ä 'ou fa'anoanoa. 'Ua o'otia a'u i le fiafia tele i le tusi mai o si o'u tamä. 'Ae 'ua fa'ate'i ina fo'i a'u i le fa'anoanoa e lë mafai ona 'ou faitauina o lana tusi."

" 'Ou te lë mälamalama," tala a Miss Davis.

"O lo'o tusia e si o'u tamä lana tusi i le gagana Sämoa," tala a Päfuti. " 'Ou te iloa tautala Sämoa, 'ae 'ou te lë i a'oa'oina le faitau po'o le tusitusi i le fa'aSämoa. O vasega 'ämata fo'i na 'ou iai i Sämoa, e na'o le kalama fa'aPeretania na a'oa'o ai."

"E lë i fa'atüläfonoina le 'ave lua o le gagana fa'aPeretania ma le fa'aSämoa i ä'oga i Sämoa?" le fesili a le faiä'oga.

"E lëai," le tali a Päfuti. "E lëai se faitau fa'aSämoa na mätou a'oa'oina. E na'o le fa'aPeretania na a'oa'oina i vasega ta'itasi."

"Talofa e!" tala a Miss Davis. "E lë mafai fo'i ona 'ou fesoasoani atu 'iä te 'oe i lenä tülaga. O le ä lau mea 'äfai?"

"E lë 'äfäina ona 'e popole," tali a Päfuti. " 'Ou te fai i lo'u aunty e faitau mai iä te a'u le tusi a tamä. 'Ae tatau 'iä te a'u ona 'ou iloa faitau ma tusitusi i le gagana Sämoa. E lëai se aogä o le iloa tautala, 'ae lë iloa faitau ma tusitusi. E iai se ä'oga Aso Sä i le mätou lotu, ma o le'ä 'ou alu 'i ai e a'oa'o ai la'u faitau ma le tusitusi fa'aSämoa.

"Lelei tele ou manatu," tala a Miss Davis. " 'Ou te lagona fo'i e maua e 'ou matua se fiafiaga tele pe'ä 'e tusi atu 'iä 'ilä'ua i le fa'aSämoa."

"O le mea fo'i lenä 'ou te fia faia tele," tala a Päfuti.

" 'Ae fa'afefea lau faitau mo a'u ma le tätou vasega i le fa'aperetania?" le toe fesili atu a Miss Davis.

"O le'ä ou faitau mo 'oe ma le vasega mea 'uma 'e te mana'o 'ou te faitauina," tali a Päfuti. "E lë toe 'umi fo'i 'ae 'ou iloa tautala, faitau, ma tusitusi i le fa'aSämoa. 'Ua 'ou lagona se a'oa'oga fou mo a'u. E lë 'ato'atoa lo'u iloa tautala Sämoa 'ae 'ou te lë iloa faitau ma tusitusi fo'i i la'u lava gagana pei ona 'ou iloa fai i le fa'aPeretania."

Päfuti: A Sämoan Girl

Päfuti left Sämoa in 1976 to live with her aunt and her family in Hawaii and to go to school. She enrolled as a sixth grader in one of the elementary schools on the Leeward side of Oahu.

In the beginning, Päfuti didn't want to go to school. She heard that the other students make fun of you if you do not speak English well. She was afraid of being laughed at.

On the first day of school, Päfuti was surprised to meet Mrs. Valdez, the Vice Principal. She took Päfuti to meet the Principal.

"Päfuti," said Mrs. Valdez, "this is Mr. Oshiro, the Principal of our school." Päfuti was shy but Mr. Oshiro said in a very friendly voice, "Good morning, Päfuti." Päfuti did not say anything.

"Päfuti," asked Mrs. Valdez, "can you tell Mr. Oshiro, 'Good Morning'?" Päfuti looked down and didn't say anything.

Mr. Oshiro got up from his chair and said, "Now young lady, don't be shy, we're here to help. School is where you come to learn. I am very happy to have you in our school. We have lots of Sämoan students, some of whom speak Sämoan very well. Even I can say Talofa. Can you say Talofa?"

Päfuti looked up to Mr. Oshiro and shyly said, "Talofa."

"There!" exclaimed Mr. Oshiro, "I knew you could do it. Why don't you go on to class with Mrs. Valdez? I am sure you will find your teachers very helpful. Also, if I can be of help, you come see me, okay?" Although she didn't understand all of these words, Päfuti nodded her head and left the office.

In the classroom, there were three teachers. They met Päfuti first, then one of them took Päfuti by the hand and said, "Class, I want you all to meet Päfuti So'oto. She is from Sämoa and will be going to school here. Do you remember the greeting word in Sämoan?"

"It's Talofa," replied the students.

"Very good," said the teacher, "why don't you all welcome Päfuti in her language like we did to all the others."

"Talofa Päfuti," said the forty voices loudly.

"Talofa," replied Päfuti shyly.

"Päfuti, " said the teacher, "I want you to meet your sponsors. This is Tony and Gina. Gina speaks some Sämoan and will be very helpful to you. Both Tony and Gina will help you feel comfortable at school. They will show you the playground and some of the games students play. They will show you the cafeteria and what to do to get your lunch. They will take you to the library and show you how to use it. They will take you to meet the school nurse and where you go when you are hurt or sick. They will introduce you to the school secretary who will show you what to do if you need to use the phone to call home. Of course, the other teachers and I will be here to help you. Do you have any questions?"

Päfuti shook her head to mean no questions.

But Gina said in Sämoan, "Päfuti, can you say 'no questions'? It's more polite."

"No questions," said Päfuti softly.

"Very good," said Mrs. Smith, " go with Gina and Tony to see the school and we will start promptly after lunch."

In the months which followed, the teachers learned that Päfuti was very good with her hands. She could cook very well at home and shared some of the things she made with her teachers and classmates. She danced very well during the May Day program and she could play games and sports with skill. She could draw beautiful pictures and color with creative style and precision. She could calculate with speed and accuracy, but had trouble with problem solving. She did very well with straight spelling of words but had problems with English sentence structure. She knew the planets' names and did very well in her science class but had problems with scientific problem solving. She knew the countries and about the world but had trouble understanding history.

You see, Päfuti learned by watching and observing but she did not know how to read very well. Furthermore, she did not want to read. Her teachers met with Mr. Oshiro and decided to put Päfuti in a special reading class.

The teacher of the special reading class tried very hard to help Päfuti. She read to her and explained the different stories along the way. She helped her pronounce words and understand the pictures. She tried to help Päfuti read to find the main ideas of a story. She made cards with words and sentences to help her understand sentence structures. She had Päfuti write short sentences after each story. Päfuti could write short sentences very well. Still, Päfuti would not read by herself.

"What is wrong?" the teacher asked herself. "I have an idea!"

The next day the teacher said to the reading class, "Look at all the books I've brought. Here is one about a brave dog. Here is another one about a boy who was lost. This book is about a family who went to California to look for gold. Why don't each of you come and pick out whichever book you would like to read?"

Päfuti went and looked at the books but sat down again on her chair without picking a book.

"Didn't you find a book you would like to read, Päfuti?" the teacher asked.

"No, I didn't," Päfuti said sadly. She put her head down and one tear slid down her cheek.

"Don't cry, Päfuti," the teacher said, "what kind of book do you want to read?"

"Oh!" said Päfuti, "I really miss my parents, and I'd like to read about Sämoa. I'd like to read about the work my father does."

"That's easy," the teacher said, "tomorrow, we will all go to the library. I'm sure there will be a book for you at the library."

The next day, Päfuti was very excited about the trip to the library. All the other children were too, but Päfuti was especially happy because she was sure she would find a book she wanted to read at the library. The library was big and the class spent the whole morning there looking at books and reading.

Still Päfuti didn't find a book to read.

"Päfuti," the teacher asked, "didn't you find a book to read?"

"Oh teacher!" said Päfuti, "I've looked all morning but I can't find a book about my father's job. I've asked the librarian for help but she couldn't find a book about my father's job either."

"Oh my!" the teacher exclaimed. "I can't believe this big library doesn't have a book for you. Perhaps you should tell me what kind of a job your father does."

"Yes," replied Päfuti "My father is a Sämoan chief. That's all I know. That's why I want to find out more about what he does."

"Hm!" the teacher exclaimed. "Come to think about it, I do not recall ever seeing a book about a Sämoan chief and what he does. I have heard that he or she does a very different type of work by American standards. He goes to meetings and talks with the other chiefs and his food is prepared by those under him and members of his extended family. Doesn't your father have any other job like a doctor, teacher or carpenter?"

"No," replied Päfuti. "I have asked my aunt She said that Daddy has more than enough work being a Sämoan chief; it is a very hard job."

The teacher scratched her head and paced the floor trying to think of where to go to find a book Päfuti wanted. "I know!" she thought. "I'll call Bishop Museum. They have lots of books and things about the South Pacific."

"Thank you, Ms Davis," Päfuti said. "I know you are trying your best to help me, thank you."

Ms. Davis checked with Bishop Museum but could not find a specific book about a Sämoan chief's duties. She checked with all of the other libraries and still found no book like that.

The next day, Päfuti went to school very early. She was anxious to see Ms. Davis to get the book she wanted to read. When Ms. Davis saw Päfuti by the door, she said, "Päfuti, come inside."

"Yes, ma'am," Päfuti said excitedly, "did you find it?"

"Dear Päfuti," replied Ms. Davis, "I'm very sorry, but I have checked everywhere and I could not find the book you want. But don't be discouraged, I have an idea. Why don't you write your father and ask him to tell you what he does? I'm sure he will be very happy to hear from you. I'm also sure that he will be more than glad to tell you about his job."

"Yes!" said Päfuti "That's a great idea."

So Päfuti wrote this letter:

Dear Mom and Dad,

I hope you are all well. We are all fine. I miss you both very much and I think of you often.

There is a special book that my teacher has been trying to find and she couldn't. I am hoping you will have time to write to me, Daddy. I would like very much to know all about your duties as a chief. I feel very sad that I do not know what you do. I want to share it with my friends. The other students talk about their parents' work and I would like to tell them about yours.

Would you please write? I can't wait to find out how you are and tell my teacher and friends all about you. Thank you, Dad.

I love you both very much. My love to my sisters and brothers and the whole family also.

Love
Päfuti

"Päfuti," said Ms. Davis, "that's a very nice letter."

"Thank you," replied Päfuti.

Ms. Davis then asked, "Do you have an envelope and a stamp?"

Päfuti answered, "No, I don't."

"Here," said Ms. Davis, "I have a few and you may use what you need."

"Thank you, Ms. Davis," replied Päfuti.

A week later, Päfuti received a big package from her parents. She opened the box and found a lovely printed dress and turtle shell bracelets. Wrapped inside the dress was a thick white envelope which was addressed, "From Daddy for Päfuti." Päfuti knew what was inside the white envelope but she wanted to wait and show it to Ms. Davis before she opened it.

The next morning, Päfuti went to school early. "Ms. Davis!" said Päfuti excitedly while running to meet Ms. Davis at her car, "Look I received a letter from my father. It says here 'From Daddy for Päfuti'."

"Great!" replied Ms. Davis, "let's go to the room and find out all about your father. I'm so happy for you, Päfuti."

"I'm happy too, Ms. Davis," Päfuti answered.

"There now," sighed Ms. Davis, while putting her stack of books down. "Let's see what your father does, Päfuti. I'm anxious to find out, just like you."

"Me too, Ms. Davis," said Päfuti, while opening the white envelope. "My daddy wrote a lot. This is thick."

Päfuti looked through the pages, sat down and stared at the letter.

"Päfuti," said Ms. Davis. "Is something wrong? Aren't you going to show me your father's letter? Is it so personal that you would rather not tell me? I understand!"

"No, Ms. Davis," said Päfuti softly, with tears running down her cheek. "Pardon me for crying but I cry when I'm sad and I cry when I'm happy. I'm very happy to hear from my father, but I'm sad that I can't read his letter. It's beautiful, whatever it says."

"I don't understand," said Ms. Davis with a puzzled look on her face.

"It's in Sämoan," replied Päfuti. "I only understand spoken Sämoan. But I did not learn to read or write it. The beginning classes I attended in American Sämoa only taught us the English grammar."

"Isn't there a law in the school system in Sämoa to teach English and keep the Sämoan grammar in the classrooms also?" Ms. Davis asked.

"I don't think there is such a law," Päfuti replied. "We did not learn to read or write in the Sämoan language. We were taught only to read and write in the English language."

"Oh my!" sighed Ms Davis. "I can't help you there either. How will you find out?"

"Don't worry," Päfuti said. "I'll ask my aunt to read father's letter to me. But I need to learn how to read and write in Sämoan also. There is a Sunday School in our Sämoan church. I'll start going there to learn."

"That's good. I'm sure your parents will be happy to hear from you in Sämoan."

"That's what I would like to do very much," Päfuti answered.

"How about your regular reading? Will you read for me and the class?" asked Ms. Davis.

"Yes, of course!" said Päfuti. "I'll read anything you want me to. Soon I will be able to not only talk but read and write in Sämoan, too. I want to read in Sämoan and English, now."

Suggested Activities

Ask your students what they know about their parents' jobs. Then help them make a long list of questions about jobs. Write these on the board. For example:

Where do they work?
What kind of building or area is it?
Do they need special clothes for their work?
Who works with them?
What is the boss like?
etc....

Do not include questions about salary or pay. Be sure to point out to the students that all jobs are equally valuable in making our society work.

Now, help individual students to select and organize their own list of questions which they feel are interesting. For most students, five to ten questions should be enough. Each student should copy the questions on a piece of paper leaving space in between for the answers. Give them a few days to interview the parent or relative of their choice. Encourage them to write down the answers and any extra information which they get from talking about jobs.

After they have finished the interviews, students may write a paragraph or two in Sämoan about the person's job. Some students may wish to give an oral report about the job. They may wish to illustrate their report with pictures from magazines or their own drawings.

You may wish to organize a field trip to visit some work sites in your area. If so, be sure you talk to the students about what they are going to see and have them write or report orally about their experience.