A little over 10 years ago I took three weeks to study Chinese culture in three Universities located in that country. One week our group was in Quinling University, in the mountainous regions of the southern portion of the country. It was a picture book atmosphere, were beautiful lakes, lush valleys and steep craggy hills surrounded the city of over a million.

Today we would be spending our time with the local day care center. Day care is provided free to Chinese parents, where most parents work full time. Of course, each has exactly one child. 60% or so are males.

We showed up at 7:00 AM just as Mickey’s and other working parents were taking their children to the Center for care. Most arrived on a motor scooter, with dad at the controls, mom on the back and child propped on the seat in dad’s lap. So came Mickey, as I was introduced to his parents and told them I hoped he would take came of me. Mickey was 6 years old.

We started off the day with Tai Chi, as is the custom in all of China. I stretched and made the graceful motions with my host. He spoke quite good English, as do most Chinese children. We then went to his crib, where Mickey took me through all of his belongings. Each child had a bed in a three tiered rack that extended along a wall, with a couple of compartments for personal effects and learning material.

The morning progressed with classes in reading, writing and such. Much of the materials were in English. We had a nice lunch together, as I shared some noodles and fish, which were consumed with the traditional chop sticks and wood bowl. I was quite familiar with them as all meals on our tour were consumed in the traditional Chinese manner. Those who didn’t like it were offered a ticket back home or could eat with their fingers.

In the afternoon, Mickey played a couple of pieces on the piano for me, as he was about ready to take on Chopin. I was impressed. Then we had a dance, and some of the young ladies did a couple of traditional Chinese dances, then the swing took over as I jitterbugged with my charming hosts. The Chinse love American swing music and often do the morning exercises to the beat of Tommy Dorsey and not Tai Chi.

Drawing class came next, were Mickey drew a picture of himself in the school and autographed it. It is sits in my photo album of the trip.

Soon it was nap time, and I read a few pages of the novel I had taken along as Mickey got some afternoon shuteye to be ready for the final push.

We went to the play-yard, where swings and ropes made for some acrobatics. Later in the afternoon, Mickey parents came by for him. They were headed back to the apartment complex after a day of labor. Individual home ownership is almost unknown in urban China but the apartments have been privatized under the new economic reforms.

We shook hands and I congratulated them on having a delightful son. I wonder where Mickey is today? He would be 17 or so. But he will always be the 6 year old boy who charmed my life some years ago.