How I Met Myself

 The Doppelganger

We were told that a doppelganger is someone's lookalike and it appears into someone's life for a reason. Sometimes the doppelganger appears to haunt for a reason. It may want to convey a warning or even offer protection. So when the present cohort of Form3 children read the book, they were caught into a whirlwind of events relating the protagonist to his doppelganger.

"How I Met Myself" has a simple storyline and tells of how John Taylor's family life was turned around when his lookalike appeared in his life.His wife, Andrea was a bulwark of support for him when John resolved to get to the bottom of his doppelganger's appearance in his life.Even Andrea got tired of John's obsession with finding out the truth; leading to a strain in their family life.

The students went through the book learning about family love and support and opining their views on themes, characters and events.

I took a bold approach ; tapping into their potential of their strong understanding and language skills. 

I told them to prepare a script and act it out.

They did just that to my greatest pleasure.

 The story is set in the Thirteenth District of Budapest; Europe on Margaret Island.

Budapest is beautiful just like any old European City. The River Danube cuts across the City and is there for all sorts of attraction.Oh, that I will have a chance to be here too...

Aliff is vocal, bright and though a newcomer to the school, is popularly accepted. He played the role of the bar owner, Zsolt. It was his cellar that most of the activities of the story took place. He was good; he personified his voice and spoke like an Indian to suit his role. Was Zsolt Indian in accent, Aliff ? But it's alright. You acted well.

 

This is the happy family. John played by handsome Ryan clothed in green. His 'first' wife was Xi Liang the one behind him. I asked him why he picked a male for the role of a female? Guess the answer. He had to have a 'bed' scene and so it was appropriate that a boy be his wife. So thoughtful. Then the sweet Andrea proper was played by Jane for later scenes. Jane speaks good English with good diction and enunciation. She played the role very effectively. So baby Kati was again played by a boy; E-Tjing. There was too much body contact, they told me.

 

 Both Ryan and Jane acted and spoke their best. The script caused them to look into great details and after this they should be able to quote events and scenes effectively when they write.What better way to learn.

 Yee Wen played the role of the doppelganger; Janos Szabo . She flew in and out just as connoted in the book; being the mysterious figure; to be seen and not to be seen. Her flighty approach had us in stitches.She was a pleasant surprise.

 

 

 Lois in the centre and Huey Xin to the left played the role of Mrs. Fischer, the old lady who gave the information about Janos Szabo to John Taylor. Lois as usual was boisterous and spoke her best. I must confess that Huey Xin was a good actress. She threw her voice well and enunciated like an old lady, so befitting the role. Potential after potential I saw in this little sketch,

  

 Raizil took the role of the nurse who saw to John Taylor's injuries after the explosion at Gergely utca. She rose to the occasion too.

 Very quiet in class, Soon Kah played the role of Paul Harris; John's confidante. I never knew he could pluck up courage to play the scene. It's indeed a pleasure to see the children oblivious of the surroundings and putting on their best cap.

 

 The rest helped in smaller roles being spectators, firemen, police and onlookers.

 

 But these two; Ian and Imran were the masterminds behind the writing. They coined the script and created an opportunity for their classmates to act it out. Well done, boys.

  

The children had fun I believe. They were able to summarize  the book in their own way. Through this I hope they have probed into the greatest details and in the process made learning effective and memorable.This again will be an occasion for them to remember their class in the days to come.

How I Met Myself; I hope they have understood well.

Proud of you boys and girls.