to teach her English. Can you imagine what she felt? A REAL skin-and-bones American! She thought that he would at least phosphoresce. However, her presentiment did not come true. Her new American teacher was an ordinary guy, like those who you can see in the streets and waiting in a line, you try to guess for yourself what kind of life they have, forgetting them with the ring of your mobile phone.

The little Slovak girl would never guess that her new American teacher would open her eyes. Instead of practicing the English grammar, they chatted about America and he has taught her a little bit of how to survive there, a little bit of Pilgrim fathers, a little bit of how to play poker, a little bit of American toilets (or bathrooms?), a little bit of American music, books and movies, a little bit of American sweets. She is going to miss him a little bit. Yes, her American friend will be gone by holidays.

Ask an American what he thinks about pig killing and he will say with a frown on his face: „Oh, it‘s disgusting!!!“ But the same American goes to the shop to buy pork every day.

Ask the American what the most important thing in his life is and he will answer: „My family,“ but the same American only speaks to his children during breakfast.

Ask the American what his relationship with his wife is like and he will tell you: „It‘s perfect!“ but the same American will get divorced in few months.

Ask the American how he is and he will say: „Thanks, Im fine.“ But the same American is going to commit suicide the following day.

Ask the American what he prefers, if either the nation or himself, and he will choose the second possibility. But the same American will go to help the people dying in the ruins of the Twins. The American will always be ready to earn money, he will be always ready to fight for his rights, he will always be convinced that all doors of the world are opened to him and he will always keep smiling.

That is the way a little irrelevant Slovak girl, writing this essay, feels about the nation of the United States, nation of the immigrants. She might not be justified to judge population of about 270 million, knowing only one of their kind. But in her opinion, it is better than to think that the United States are just what you can see in the movies – country of fast food, skyscrapers, Coca-Cola, popcorn, how-are-you questions, fancy cars and good looking people just like those that you can see on the front pages.

LÍVIA TÓTHOVÁ

Gymnázium Juraja Fándlyho, Šaľa, winner of the English essay competition.