Nuan and the Hands That Told a Story

Nuan loved telling stories aloud. But when her Deaf cousin Baitong visited, Nuan spoke too quickly for her to follow. Baitong smiled and signed in Thai Sign Language, 'Let's learn slowly together.'

Baitong taught simple signs such as home, bird, and friend, with facial expression and rhythm. Nuan did not invent gestures. She asked Baitong to repeat them and practiced slowly at a mirror.

During rehearsal, Nuan held a puppet in front of her hands, blocking Baitong's view. She lowered the puppet, brightened the light, and faced the audience.

They shared the work. Nuan moved the puppets, Baitong told the tale in Thai Sign Language, and large scenery pictures showed the place. They paused so viewers could watch both hands and puppets.

At the show, hearing and Deaf children laughed together when the bird sneezed. Afterward, Nuan did not ask who had heard what. She asked, 'Which part was everyone's favorite?'

Communication takes many forms, and listening begins with attention to others.