Istanbul Literary Review - September 2011 Edition (#21)
Istanbul Literary Review - September 2011 Edition (#21)
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Tiny Literary Giant
by
Kourosh Ziabari

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.

Istanbul Literary Review - September 2011 Edition (#21)
Kourosh Ziabari
Kourosh Ziabari
Iran
Kourosh Ziabari is an Iranian journalist and writer. His works have appeared on the magazines and news websites of more than 10 countries. He has received the National Medal of Superior Iranian Youth from the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Istanbul Literary Review - September 2011 Edition (#21)