A tune is more precious than birdsong, and a tale more precious than the wealth of the world.”
- Irish Proverb
View a brief film about Lisa's work and Whispers
When I first began this project, I imagined I would simply be enjoying
the company of many children and their charming thoughts. But after
some time passed, and in reading back through all the quotes I had collected,
I realized there was much more here. The power and mystery
embedded in the soul of each child was profound. I feel these children
have the ability to show us things we can’t always see ourselves.
They are a reflection of our adult world, which has a ripple-down effect
on our children, which we ignore at our peril.
In each city I visited, I would meet children at schools, orphanages, and hospitals, and in common areas such as restaurants and parks. Most of the adults were willing and accommodating in letting me interview the children. I did meet a few parents, however, who didn’t want to participate. They didn’t like the thought of a stranger talking with their child, which I respected.
Some quotes may seem a bit harsh, political, or religious in tone but I wanted to include all points of view, not just simplistic and innocent ones. Some of these children live in countries where they are denied the basic human right of freedom of speech, and I felt they, more than anyone, deserved to be heard. Once I gained their trust, and after their parents or guardian gave them permission, the children were not afraid to express themselves openly. These children are trying to understand life and imagine a better future; as you will see, many of them show a wisdom we don’t always find in their elders.
In the Middle East, few of these children had ever met an American. They were leery at first and very shy. It took several hours of sitting with them before they finally opened up. But once they did, they shared their passions. One girl from an Iraqi orphanage loved dogs; another wanted to be an artist and shared with me the sketches she did of her friends. I played with the children for hours.
When I had to leave, a little boy asked me why I was being so nice to them. Then, another shy boy who never opened up wanted to know why I “pretended to be nice," angrily stating that he knew after I left I would bomb them. This reality made me feel awful. I looked into their sad eyes as I told them I loved them and would never forget them. After the teary-eyed good-bye ended, I left, still feeling troubled.
Simply speaking with the children in the Middle East healed personal wounds and built bridges. I let them know that not all Americans wanted to hurt them; many wanted to help. Some were shocked and could not believe it, others cried in relief, feeling safer. The outcome of the questions went far beyond getting answers; they were a way of connecting and mending hearts.
In Europe, I was surprised how free-spirited and adult-like the children were, very mature for their age. Many of them spoke several languages
and had a great sense of fashion and art. They seemed intelligent and alive. They had many hopes and dreams and idolized American celebrities and their life styles.
In Asia, most of the children acted shy, hiding behind their mother’s skirts, but they flirted with me. Inevitably, they would peek out and flash a big smile. The Asian children are taught not to talk with strangers, and parents are very protective of their children – especially in China where for many years they were only allowed one child per couple. But after bribing some of the parents with gifts of pencils, blue jeans, and T-Shirts from Hollywood, they became more accommodating. And I discovered that their children really did want to talk, and had a lot to say.
I enjoyed seeing the little Japanese girls dressed up for wedding ceremonies. They looked like the most precious porcelain dolls in their tiny colorful kimonos. Overall, they were the most respectful and well behaved children I met abroad. They didn’t carry with them the heavy Middle Eastern mentality; the devastation of family members being killed, sent to war daily, nor the “live and let live” mentality I felt from the Europeans.
Some parents wondered why I wanted to ask their children questions. I told them it was a hobby of mine when I traveled (some people collect stamps, I collect friendships). I said I enjoyed making deeper connections with the locals, and that speaking with their children helped me to do that. I added that someday I might arrange to memorialize the children's words. They were excited, but some asked me not to expose their identities. It was interesting to hear that same request from almost everyone, especially in Asia and the Middle East.
To honor the parents' requests, and out of respect for their privacy and safety, I have not used the children's last names or photos in the book and only photos of children that gave me permission on this site. Individual identities are not important in any case; the children in this book represent children everywhere. I simply give you their hearts, for they were the heart of my journeys around the globe. Enjoy and learn from their surprising thoughts, and share them with the little people in your life.
