Joy of Joylin

A small figure appeared in the doorway of the Parakeet Room.  I often leave my door open during the day for fresh air, so it's not uncommon for me to see people pass by-- but this figure stayed.  I looked up from my book to see the sweet, curious daughter of one of the couples that lives here in the Elephant House.  This little angel is named Joylin.  Her short, dark hair was pulled into a half up so that the ends seemed to sprout out of the top of her head.  She was dressed in an adorable pink top with matching pants.  Her favorite color is pink.  I know this because she told me a few days ago when we were both wearing pink!  Now, the child stared in through the doorway at me where I was lounging on my bed with a captivating book, Little Bee.  When we made eye contact, we both smiled.

I first met Joylin at the beginning of the week, and ever since we have shared an obvious curiosity about each other-- she is always curious about what I am doing, and I am always curious about what wonderful things she must be thinking about!  I spent some lovely time with her yesterday when I taught her 2nd Standard (Grade) class.  Today, she stood in my doorway chewing on something.

"Hi!"  I said.  Joylin bashfully shifted her weight from one foot to the other and waved at me with one hand.  "What are you doing?"
"Eating schok-o-lat!"  she proudly exclaimed.
"Oh, yum!"  Long pause.... "I love chocolate!"
"It's her-sheee!"
"Mmmm, sounds delicious!"
With that, Joylin happily shuffled her feet away.

Only moments later she was back in my doorway!  This time she held a large square piece of chocolate!
"Oooh!  You have more!"  I proclaimed.  A large smile spread across her face as she nodded so gleefully.  "Be careful-- you had better eat it quickly before it melts all over your fingers!"  I could feel the warm air swirling in my room, and I could only imagine how much hotter it was outside where she stood!  Joylin looked back at me thoughtfully, and I assumed she was processing my words.  She took a bite of "schok-o-lat" and walked away again.

I went back to reading my book with a goofy smile on my face.  I had just found the place on the page where I had left off when the small figure was back in my doorway!  I looked up to see Joylin's happy face again.  This time, however, she held something small in each hand, and she was eating from one of them.  "What do you have there?"  I inquired.  And I admit... I forgot the name of it!  But I will tell you that it was a fruit of some kind!  After repeating the word back to her, she nodded.  She hesitated in the doorway, and I wasn't sure what she wanted.  Suddenly, she took a brave step forward, entering the Parakeet Room!  The first step was slow, but she quickly hastened her pace to my bedside to show me the fruit.  "Mmmm, looks very yummy!"  I said to her.  She then held out the one that she hadn't eaten yet so that it was only inches from my face.  "Oh!"  I said, very surprised.  "Is that one for me?"
"Yes!"  she smiled.
I took the small fruit from her hand to analyze it.  It was very small, and round... perhaps the size of a small apricot or plum.  The skin was a grayish-brown color, and the inside was pinkish-orange.  I took a bite.  It was good!  I smiled back at Joylin.  "Thank you!"

That was the end of our curious exchange today.  As she left my room I knew that I would experience many more joy's of Joylin throughout the summer!