Ong jun Wei

He is a cheerful 8 years old who has a scar on his forehead like Harry Potter.
Full of smile and laugh heartily all the time, he draws whimsically.


I first met him last Thursday.
It was the first day of a 2 weeks art workshop.
I was early for the class, all the rest of the children ran out to play because the lesson haven't start.
But Junwei stayed in the classroom despite permission from me to go out to play.


*******

Me: " Why dun you go out to play? It's still early."

JW: " I dun want, I want to draw."

Me: " ok, then draw."

JW: " I only have one drawing paper, I forgot to bring my drawing block. This one(drawing paper) is from Weixian(the boy who sat next to Junwei who ran out to play).

Me: "oh...nevermind, just draw.I have extra paper. I will give you another piece later if you need one."

JW: " Really!"

With all smile, he started to draw a butterfly.

JW: "Teacher, I WANT TO BE AN ARTIST WHEN I GROW UP!"

I SMILED.

Me: " Really? WHY?"

JW: " Because I love TO DRAW!"

Me: " That's Great!"

JW:" I always draw at home."

Me: " What other things do you like to do at home?"

JW:" Oh...I also like to bake!"

Me:" Sounds fun."

JW:" Hmmmm, then I will be a artist baker when I grow up!"

I SMILED.


He told me again today that he wants to be an artist when he grow up.
He seems determined. And then he corrected and says he is going to be an artist baker.
He cannot decide which one he likes better and wants to be both.


I wonder how many of you knows what you want to be since 8 years old like how determine little Junwei is. For his case, he is determine to be both an artist and a baker.

Some people do not even know what they really love to do until now; while some knows what they love to do but dare not DREAM to do the things they love when they grow up.

Children SHOULD BE ALLOWED to dream to grow up doing things THEY LOVE.



As far as I can remember, I am usually the one who ask my students "Who wants to be an artist?"in class, and usually will end up with reluctant answers like, "My mother says artist will not earn money" even if that student is really talented and loves to draw. Nowadays, children no longer wish to do things that they love when they grow up if that something they loves to do, do not make money. They are NOT ENCOURAGE AND SOME NOT ALLOWED.The worst thing is, they will tell you, "I WANT TO GROW UP TO BE A BANKER! A LAWYER! A DOCTOR! " BECAUSE THEY EARN A LOT OF MONEY!". No matter how cruel reality is, children should be ALLOWED TO HAVE DREAMS!




And so,
Please remember his name.
Who knows he might be famous someday...
If he is still as determine as now in the future to be an artist he will be.
If not, being a baker is really not bad either.