The most idyllic time in my school years was my elementary school time
Grades one to grade five
The American school I went to
Boys and girls playing at recess in the yard
No uniform
Classes in English and Persian

By learning English and my introduction to the West
My world opened up
I could see beyond the confines of Iran
I could see how other people lived
What their concerns were

I learned about pollution and the plight of African Americans
I realized there was much more freedom in the West
For women and girls
I learned there was no religious prejudice against Baha’is there

We had Halloween parties
end of the year plays
Art and gym class
And all this took place is a large home where the principal of the school lived upstairs
The woman an American
The man a Persian

I couldn’t get enough of the English language
I wanted to read English books and talk to English speaking people
As if English meant freedom to me
My gateway to thee world

March 9, 2026