Meiling’s Dumplings
2007 Copyright © Jenny Shieh

Mommy, who’s that tall lady holding the torch over there?” Meiling pointed towards the water from the bedroom window of her new home in New York City .

“That’s Lady Liberty,” Meiling’s mother said. “She’s welcomed many people to America , and now she’s welcoming you.”

This made Meiling smile. Tomorrow was her first day of school in her new country, and she couldn’t wait to meet her new friends. Meiling and her family had just moved to the United States from Taiwan . They had heard that America was a place where no dream was too big to dream.

Meiling’s mother was helping her get ready for the big day. “What would you like me to pack for your lunch tomorrow?” her mother asked.

Meiling thought for a while. “Dumplings! I want dumplings.”

“Meiling,” said her mother, “are you sure you want dumplings? What about a turkey sandwich or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Maybe you’d like a bologna and cheese sandwich...”

“No, I’m sure. I want dumplings,” said Meiling.

“Okay, Mei-Mei. Dumplings it is. Let me show you how to make them,” her mother replied.

Meiling loved it when her mother called her “Mei-Mei,” which means “Little One” in Mandarin. She especially loved homemade dumplings.

“Shieh-Shieh, Shieh-Shieh!” Meiling cried. “Thank you! Thank you!”

Meiling followed her mother into the kitchen and watched her prepare the dumplings. Her mother cracked two eggs into a bowl and beat them together with a pair of chopsticks. Then, she chopped up a head of lettuce and mixed it together with some meat, salt, and pepper.

“Okay, Mei.” said her mother, “You can add the sesame oil and the scallions now. Those are the special ingredients that make dumplings smell and taste so good.”

Meiling helped her mother roll and cut the dough into small circles to make the dumpling wrappers. Her mother showed her how to fill the dumplings and wrap them into the shape of a half moon. Meiling and her mother had a wonderful time. They talked and laughed about their favorite memories of Taiwan .

By the time they had finished wrapping the last dumpling, the dumplings were as high and white as Jade Mountain . “I will cook these in the morning before you go to school,” said Meiling’s mother. “Now, it is time for you to go to bed. You have a big day ahead of you.”

Meiling looked out of her bedroom window at Lady Liberty one last time before going to bed. She smiled and grabbed her favorite teddy bear before slipping under the covers. “I can’t wait to meet the rest of my new friends at school tomorrow,” thought Meiling.

When the sun rose the next morning, Meiling sprung out of bed to get ready for her first day of school. “Today will be a good day,” she said to herself.

When Meiling entered her new classroom, she sat down at the first empty desk could find. “Hello, my name is Meiling. I am from Taiwan . It is nice to meet you. What is your name?” asked Meiling.

“Sadie,” the little girl replied. “Why does she talk like that?” Sadie asked her friends. “Why is her hair that color and why are her eyes slanted like that?”

Meiling was heartbroken. She didn’t know how to respond. She had never felt different before. Her first day of school was already a disaster. “Nobody wants to be my friend because I’m different,” she thought.

When lunchtime arrived, Meiling sat down at a table by herself. She took out her chopsticks and opened the container of dumplings her mother had made especially for her.

Just as she was about to take a bite, Meiling heard footsteps from behind. She opened her eyes and saw Sadie and a few of her friends.

“What are you eating? What’s that smell and why aren’t you using a fork?” they asked.

Meiling looked around at the other children’s lunches. Nearly everyone was eating a sandwich. Again, Meiling didn’t know how to respond. She had never felt different before.

Maybe her mother was right. Maybe she should have packed something else for lunch. Just then, she noticed that almost all of the sandwiches had meat and vegetables in between two pieces of sliced bread, just like her dumpling had meat and vegetables in between two halves of dough wrapping. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t so different after all!

“These are dumplings,” Meiling eagerly explained. “See, they are like your sandwiches, but instead of bread, they have a dough wrapper on the outside. There is meat inside too! But…these dumplings have special ingredients.”

“What are the special ingredients?” asked Sadie, curiously. “Well…” Meiling leaned in close to tell Sadie, and the other children leaned in too. “Sesame, oil, and scallions. That is why dumplings smell and taste so good. Would you like to try some?” Meiling asked.

“Yes, please!” exclaimed the children.

Meiling divided up the dumplings so that everyone could try a piece. “Hey, you’re right! These dumplings are great!” exclaimed one of Sadie’s friends. “Will you sit with us next time at lunch?” asked another. “And will you come play with us during recess?” added Sadie. “Yes…and Yes!” Meiling said excitedly. “I would love to!”

Meiling began packing up her lunch when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. It was Sadie. “Meiling, I’ve been meaning to tell you…I think you’re really nice…and I’m sorry for hurting your feelings earlier.” “Thanks Sadie,” said Meiling. “Apology accepted.”

Just then, Meiling didn’t feel so different anymore. She was just like the other children, but with her own special ingredients…