Beautiful Country: A Memoir

In the third grade, Qian had a new teacher who was kind and encouraged her to read. Miss Pong gave Qian a copy of Charlotte’s Web and shared that Qian reminded her of herself when she was a little girl. Miss Pong was a calm and steady presence in Qian’s life. Qian also made a new best friend in the third grade, Elaine. Elaine was also Chinese, and she stayed over at Qian’s home many times. The two girls played in the communal bathroom, Qian’s secret refuge where she came to read and think. When Elaine invited Qian to come over for a sleepover, Qian worried about leaving Ma Ma alone without Qian’s care and protection. 

Elaine’s older sister Wanda picked Qian up from her father’s workplace and drove her to their apartment. Qian was struck by how nice the apartment was; Elaine’s family had their own dining room and kitchen. There were also new rules and ways of living. At dinner, when Qian slurped her noodles as her parents had taught her, Elaine’s family stared. Elaine showed Qian how to use the shower, but Qian was used to only showering only once a week and declined the offer.