A Boy Called Su

Su is in kindergarten and doesn’t speak English. He spends lunchtimes playing alone with his favourite ball. Linda gives him lollies with special powers and invites him to play, but Su is too shy to join in. He clings to his ball and watches the other children instead. That is until James throws his ball into a tree. Su tries to get it down with a stick but gets in trouble with the teacher. He gets the ball down with his shoe, only to have it kicked into the soccer pitch. A one-shoed Su is forced to be piggy in the middle until the ball is kicked out again. Su runs after it only to discover James has gotten hold of it. He hides and watches. Su eats the lollies Linda gave him and bravely marches out to confront James. He demands his ball back in his own language – Mandarin Chinese. The boys fight for the ball. James loses his balance and falls into a puddle. Su hesitates, and then helps him up. A brave new Su invites Linda to play catch with his ball. James comes back with Su’s shoe. They play tips together on the playground and the ball rolls away forgotten.