This is actually the parting address of my grandson Isaac Norman Bohol when he graduated valedictorian in kindergarten. The original manuscript was his and I edited it for pleasurable reading. 

My dear teachers, schoolmates, parents, and friends:  

When Mama and Tatay  told me  that  God granted their prayer for me to be the valedictorian, I was happy for them because they were very happy. All I had been praying for was for a trip to Alice in Wonderland. But Tatay and Mama insisted on my  valedictory address. Tatay said, graduating as valedictorian and making a speech is the first step to becoming President of any country. Maybe, if I don’t go to jail, or if I would still be there because people die. I said I prefer to play Robinhood for fifteen minutes than  be President forever. I asked Mama  to write the speech for me  because she always tells Tatay that mothers know best. Doing my computer games  would be more fun. Or, she might be happy watching me play yelling Indian or Spider Man. I could show her also how fast I can climb trees  and chase the boys. Oh, but she needs a speech. So, here I go:

I want to tell you that I love colorful books which take me to a wonderland of heroes, fairies, magic, and animals. It’s fun that with my small size I can steal chocolate bars and cookies right under Mama’s nose while we are reading. I wonder why I can afford to be so small and short in a world of big and tall people. Grandma told me that when I grow up I shall be taller than my dreams. That’s strange. When I grow up I want to be a little boy because it’s fun.  Well, let’s see what happens because they are talking about my future. What’s that about? Well… I have learned many things. The best lesson I have learned is: I still have to learn more.There are still many things  though that confuse me. There are no answers. Even Mama and Tatay don’t know the answers to many of my questions. They say that it’s all part of my growing up.

I will miss my teachers and classmates because we had so much fun.  But next year we will be here again. I borrow the words of my Grandma which she told me to memorize: parting is not goodbye. Thank you for listening. Goodbye for now. I love you all.  ###