Just Shut Up!
Sias University
Henan Provence, China
November 2015
It is my last night in China. My students have gathered to pay their respects to me. They tell me beautiful things. They cry and hug me and pledge endless devotion to me. They speak of simple gestures I made that had an impact on them. I was moved by all of this affection.
They hurry out to the hallway and ask me to wait a minute before I leave. I comply with their request and a few minutes later, walk out only to be surrounded by them, holding lit candles and singing about all the goodness in the world. They sing with a genuineness that is heartwarming.
Suddenly, a door to another room opens up and a woman charges out. "Shut up, shut up. I am holding a class in here. What is wrong with you?" She shouts with a deafening volume that can be heard over the 50 students who are singing their little happy song.
I attempt to explain what is going on but the woman doesn't want to hear from me. "Just shut up and go away." She waves her hand in annoyance. So I lead the group out to the lobby as they continue to sing their wishes of goodwill to me.
