If only world leaders would think like kids

Growing up in Japan where I was lost in translation, my parents sent me to an international school for my grade school studies. That was my first exposure to the bigger world around me. I met friends from many countries and got to know a lot about the culture of different places even without having to visit them. It was a wonderful experience for a kid.

In my Grade 3 class, there was one beautiful German girl who had long red hair and freckles named Julia who I became close to. We were the tallest girls in class (back then my growth spurt went wild and obviously it came to a screeching halt soon after...) Since we were always at the end of the line (we go in order of height when lining up in school), we saw that as a connection that bound us and we became friends. Everyday, we would run  around the school grounds, climb the monkey bars, play at the slides and swings and make fun of each other while doing so.... We were literally inseparable.

Eventually, we became best friends.

You know what's funny about our friendship? Julia did not speak a word of English and I did not understand any bit of German. The only language we knew how to speak was friendship. Now, if only world leaders would take their cue from children,  there would be no war in this planet.

PS. Julia and I are still in contact thanks to Facebook.