Adapted from a New York Times story for English Language Learners
In
a homeless shelter (پناهگاه بی خانمان) in New York, an 8-year-old boy is "king" (پادشاه). He is a Nigerian refugee. But he feels like a king. The homeless 3rd grade boy just won a big competition ( رقابت ) at
the New York State chess (شطرنج) championship (قهرمانی).
Tani Adewumi is the new chess champion for 1st through 3rd grade. He won by beating children from elite (نخبه) private schools with private ( شخصی ) chess tutors.
Tani started to learn chess just one year ago! His ability ( توانایی ) has soared ( اوج گرفتن ) month by
month. He now has 7 trophies (جایزه) by his bed in the homeless shelter.
Tani’s
family left Nigeria in 2017 because of attacks by Boko Haram
terrorists. Tani, his parents, and his older brother arrived in New York City a year ago. A pastor ( کشیش ) helped them find a homeless
shelter (پناه). Tani began going to the local school which has a chess teacher who taught Tani’s class how to play.
Tani's family, however, could not pay the fees ( هزینه )
for the school program because the family was living in a shelter. So the teacher said he could join the club for free. Now Tani is making the club special by winning ( پیروز شدن ) many tournaments (
مسابقات).
The principal of his school said, “It’s
an inspiring ( الهام بخش ) example of how life’s difficulties (مشکلات) do not define ( تعریف کردن ) a person. Tani is rich beyond measure in the strength, love and support of his family.” The principal said that while Tani lacks ( نداشتن ) a home, the support of his family will be enough for him to succeed.
Tani’s
mom can’t play chess but takes him every Saturday to a three-hour free
practice session and she goes to his tournaments. His dad
lets Tani use his laptop each evening to practice.
But it
is sometimes very hard for Tani. Once came home
from school crying because his classmates ( همکلاسی ها ) teased ( کسی را دست انداختن ) him for being homeless. Now the school is proud of his big chess victory.
Tani is a reminder (یادآور) that
refugees enrich ( غنی سازی کنید ) the countries they live in. Talent ( استعداد ) is universal ( جهانی ) and can appear ( ظاهر شدن ) in even the hardest circumstances ( چگونگی ).