A few days ago, I talked to my nephew, “Your friend in China studies English and it would a shame  if she surpasses you in English.”  I meant to challenge him to work hard since he practically did nothing if there was no homework. Also his teacher repeatedly called me about his study at school. After being in the States for nearly 3 months, he still cannot carry a simple conversation with his teacher and classmates.

He asked me, “What do you mean? Do you mean her English is better than mine and I am not good?”

Well, this is an obvious truth, yet, this truth would not be well-taken and better remained not said.  I replied, “I meant for you to study hard since she studies hard; and you want to be better than she is, right?”

“Do you mean I have not studied hard?” he asked irritatedly.
Of course that was what I meant. Again, an obvious truth must not be said.  “This is just my advice. If you think you have already studied hard, you can play,” I said.

“Yes, I think I have studied hard.” With that, he resumed his computer game, happily.

I told him that it was very difficult for his mother to bring him here and he should value this opportunity. He said, “I knew this long ago. My mom told me this thousand of times before we arrived here.”

With his mother in China, he feels like a bird out of cage, enjoying himself fully. To be sure, on the whole, he is a good boy.  He could be even better if he would take my words and put more efforts in his study.  Well, let him mature at his own pace.