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Adora Svitak always narrates a delicate reminiscence of my childhood years
to me. The 11-year old writer and illustrator who is considered as a
distinguished child prodigy and internationally published author of
storybooks for children has published two books so far with 3 others in
queue.
Once ABC's Diane Sawyer called Adora a "Tiny Literary Giant" which I believe
describes her realistically. I faithfully believe that these tiny giants,
whom the "superiors" and "seniors" usually overlook, are the major
decision-makers who can tremble and quake their world if endowed with the
chance, confidence and opportunity.
I remember myself when cavorting and frolicking over my 10s, thinking of
myself as the UN Secretary General of 2050 or a Nobel Peace Prize Winner and
such ambitious aspirations which I'd protracted an elaborate list for.
At that time and by the end of 2000, when I had overlapped 10, I could
fluently speak in 4 live languages, had published near to 1000 articles and
short stories both in English and Persian, my maternal tongue, and had given
several lectures and interviews in local stages.
However, I failed to climb the pinnacles which I'd sketched for my prospect,
and this failure has perpetually underscored for me, the importance of
expected and accepted patronage, auspices and sponsorship; that you cannot
overrule the "customs which rule the law" and that you cannot uplift
yourself when you are deprived of the aides and assistances conforming to
your dexterities.
The mediums and outlets which had promoted me, in spite of their fervent
endeavors, were not appearing on a global level and their contributions to
the mainstream was slightly insignificant, although they were nationals
ones; hence I could not draw the attractions in actual fact and now, should
be branded a "burnt pawn".
However, in the last three years, and since I made the acquaintance of
Adora, as one in whom I could seek my lost triumphs, I used to become more
hopeful about the future; not for myself, but for the conscience of world in
which I live; about the flashing lights of knowledge beacons; that the
cognizant witnesses of international developments have not yet forgotten the
presence of inspirational, fresh minds, like that of Adora's.
Adora has a loyal and perseverant mother, Joyce Svitak, who has contributed
efficiently to the promotion of Adora's works and his global fame. The
11-year old 'humanitarian, writer and poet' who goes to school, not for
studying but for teaching, sees herself devoted to the fate of humanity,
global peace and stability.
Her 'flying fingers', a collection of short stories by the Microsoft hired
child lecturer, outlines noticeably that how sublime, transcendent her
concerns and standpoints are. When she says that she is worried about
'global warming' and 'cholera in Zimbabwe', I wonder if the children of her
age can even imagine the very meaning of "global warming" per se.
Adora, who claims her real age 50 to 60 according to the results of an
online test which she has given recently, is definitely at least three
decades older and quicker than what she ages. She demonstrates pragmatically
that the real age is beyond the commonplace perceptions of the society. Real
age of individuals deals with their talents, aptitudes, capabilities and
merits rather than their sole "length of life. You cannot call a 30-year old
PhD under-graduate student "mature" when he/she is simply unable of
composing a 3 paragraphs prose free of grammatical and literary mistakes.
Adora Svitak who became the subject of national interest in the US after
appearing on 'Good Morning America' has either appeared on the Channel 4's
'The World's Cleverest Child and Me' with Mark Dolan and been featured in
the reports of Guardian, CNN, Miami Herald, Times and prominently in the
latest days by the Independent.
She now carries the epithet of 'World's Youngest Teacher' for her weekly
courses in the Broward County schools. Surprisingly, her students, who learn
'writing techniques' and 'effective methods of learning improvement' are
either her coevals or older than her!
Truthfully, one could not deny that the skills and proficiencies of this
gifted genius are the endowments of her Creator, who will examine her with
the ways in which Adora employs her 'treasures of mind' in the favor of
humanity and civilization.
However and so forth, Adora will unquestionably suffer from a variety of
unique, extraordinary pains in the upcoming years of her 'precious' and
'worthwhile' life e.g. when she is 20 and she knows more than a 60 years old
grandmother and the few people understand her magnificent and superlative
anxieties, concerns for the prospect of humanity.
Setting out for a demanding mission, Adora must become ready for a strenuous
battle with the ignorance and unawareness in the world around herself where
she will serve as the harbinger of 'knowledge' bastion, hopefully with the
paramount vigor and stamina. |