Not too long ago, I went volunteering. The event was titled ‘Kids’ Economy Classroom’, a meaningful endeavor to help kids grasp economic concepts through board games. This time, the audience was a lively bunch of 5th and 6th graders, with about 30 boys and girls huddled together in the classroom.
All my life, I’d only seen kids as these polished, cute beings from movies or Facebook, so I expected a room full of shy souls. But nope! As soon as I arrived, a boy was already waving a cutter from his pencil case dangerously, and as the session began, the kids erupted into chaos. It was like a scene from a psychological thriller at its peak!
Finally, after the chaotic lesson, the board game was about to begin. I was pretty nervous since I had to lead the game and play the role of the bank. But the kids looked at me mischievously. In my mind, I was like, ‘Guys, be nice to me.’ But their expressions remained as rebellious as ever.
Well, I thought, kids are generally nicer than adults, so once the game starts, it’ll be fine. But right as we began, one kid threw the dice against the wall, shouting.
“I’ll throw it the farthest!”
Why though? It made no sense. The girl sitting next to me, who seemed like a school bully, nitpicked every little thing. When another kid benefited from an event card she drew, she got annoyed, packed her things, and left. Meanwhile, another kid refused to return the dice, claiming the rules were unfair.
“You can’t do that. Hand it over,” I said, trying to retrieve the dice. The kid responded by saying he’d report me for holding his hand. Haha, as if I’d ever want to!
Midway through the game, one team was way ahead, and the kids’ focus started waning fast. They’d push 100,000 won to the bank but write down 300,000 won, or move four spaces instead of three, insisting that’s what the dice showed. All the while, a blond kid tried robbing the bank, and I really felt like giving him a sidekick. Sweat was pouring down my forehead like rain, and I felt like it was already 6 PM. Then, the organizer’s voice rang out. Was it over?
“We’ll stop after three rounds!”
No way! I felt like I’d collapse after just one! But I told myself with Buddha-like patience, “If I can endure this, what can’t I endure in life? Let’s power through…”
As soon as I resolved to last three rounds, the next kid tossed the dice at the chalkboard at the front of the hall.
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