Hello Hands

On Monday, a new boy joined Freja’s class in a little town in Norway. His name was Elias. The teacher explained that Elias could not hear, so he talked with his hands, using sign language.

At playtime, Freja wanted to say hello, but she felt shy. What if Elias did not understand her?

She sat next to him on the bench. She smiled and waved. Elias smiled back. Then he lifted his hand to his forehead and moved it away, like a little salute. He pointed at Freja and did it again.

Freja copied him. Elias nodded and clapped. She had just learned her first sign: hello!

Every day after that, Elias taught Freja a new sign: friend, snow, play and her favourite, hot chocolate. Freja taught Elias how to build a snow cave.

Soon the other children wanted to learn too. By the end of winter, the whole class could sign “Good morning” to Elias. And Elias grinned and signed back, “Good morning, friends!”