Picture this. Lisbon. A mall in a tourist neighborhood. On the bottom floor of a bookstore chain, FNAC, enveloped by a slightly musty smell. A Portuguese class colleague and I were standing in the children’s book section. We saw a copy of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle, or, as it’s known in Portuguese, “A Lagartinha Muito Comilona.” She opened to the first page. We took turns reading in Portuguese, then translating to English. We were reading! We understood the words! We understood the story! There was a joy difficult to describe. That of understanding. That of discovery. That of knowledge.

She then had to leave.

For almost an hour I picked books off of the shelves of books appropriate for 3 – 6 year olds. I slowly turned pages and interpreted words on the page. I was reading! In Portuguese! There’s something magnificently satisfying about understanding. About being able to communicate. In another language, no less! It’s unlike any other achievement. It’s unlocking another world. I giggled as I read each book, delighted that I understood what I was reading.

I chose two books to purchase, so that I could continue to build my vocabulary. Junior level books of questions and answers, so basic; however, unlocking many levels of understanding. I was beyond happy.