文：呂紹潼 宜蘭縣羅東鎮成功國民小學

　　這次的筆友交流，讓我深深感到友誼的橋樑，以及每次收到來信時的驚喜，第一次她寄信給我時介紹自己喜歡烘焙和小動物，我說我也喜歡烘焙餅乾、麵包等。接著我問他幾歲，她的回信十分高興之外，也告訴我她才十歲，我覺得外國人的英文真的太強了！

　　我們聊最多的是母親節，我跟她分享臺灣的母親節，我們吃炸雞沒有送禮物，而他們美國過節居然會野餐、送傳統禮物和卡片，超溫馨的！我也有跟她介紹端午節的歷史，也分享粽子很好吃，她說雖然他們國家沒有端午節，但是下次想嚐嚐看粽子！我們每個禮拜幾乎都有聊天，在我生日時我也有收到了他的祝福。

　　這次筆友交流讓我體會到國家文化差異和不同的節日，更體會到了語言不是我們與外國人的阻隔。感謝主辦單位的邀請及每次的建議！

Through this pen pal exchange program, I deeply felt the bridge of friendship and the surprise of receiving letters. When she first wrote to me, she introduced herself and told me that she liked baking and small animals. I told her that I also liked baking cookies, bread, and other things. Then I asked her how old she was. She happily replied to me and told me that she was only ten years old. I thought foreigners were really amazing at English!

The topic we talked about the most was Mother’s Day. I shared with her how we celebrate Mother’s Day in Taiwan. We usually eat fried chicken, but we don't give gifts. In the United States, however, they celebrate the holiday by having picnics and giving traditional gifts and cards. It sounds so warm and lovely! I also introduced her to the history of the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan and shared with her that zongzi (rice dumplings) is very delicious. She said that although they don't have the Dragon Boat Festival in her country, she would like to try zongzi someday! We talked almost every week, and she also sent me birthday wishes on my birthday.

This pen pal exchange helped me understand the cultural differences between countries and learn about different festivals. More importantly, I realized that language does not have to be a barrier between us and people from other countries. I am very grateful to the organizers for inviting me to participate and for giving us suggestions along the way!