Tuyn is six. He is unable to walk because he has cerebral palsy, so according to Vietnamese custom he does not go to school. I am asked to do some work with him upstairs where a member of staff is helping him copy some numbers. We read What is the time Mr. Wolf? with lots of actions. As I’m trying to introduce a practical element to the work for the interest of staff the later plan is for him to make his own toy clock. The story goes down well and we talk about what he does at different times of day. I do a lot of miming, eating and pretending to snore loudly followed by questioning expressions. He likes it.
I resolve not to be charmed by this unbelievably charming young man..give them an inch and they’ll take a mile.. no, Tuyn.. this is number work.. you can’t have my miniature picture stickers of a candle now. No. We are making a clock. He lowers his beautiful brown eyes to the floor purposefully and refuses to continue.
After he has applied the sticker (of a candle) he works carefully to stick every number round his paper plate. His patience is infinite. It takes forever but he perseveres. Each number sticker is carefully placed; sideways, upsidedown, all crooked then finally straight around the plate. What colour would you like for the hands? Red, pink, blue, or green? I hold up the selected coloured cards as I speak which have traversed continents for this very purpose. He lowers his eyes again. He wants black, the assistant says. Sorry. He draws round the clock hands, keeping the cardboard firm with his bad hand and then painstakingly and meticulously cuts away – not perfect but to disguise this he spends further time rubbing out the guidelines. I had assumed I would have to cut for him, but no. I decide I will make the hole on the centre of the plate (health and safety, children etc.) and succeed in making my finger bleed badly. We throw my giant dice to find out what time his clock is going to say. He laughs. He loves the clock. Later the teacher tells me.. he say it will be for birthday..with the candle it i’ hi’ birthday clock with candle.