by Regina Rheda
Susi was placed on a chair with the girl on her lap. At her side stood Miss Norma, and in front of her squatted the intern holding a microphone. He told them to keep completely quiet until Leona was addressed by the master of ceremonies, Mr. Cardoso, who was on a podium a little farther from them.
Mr. Cardoso proceeded with a formal introduction of the youngest speaker who had ever set foot in his radio station, prodigy six-year-old and first grader, Leona Silva. As he spoke, the girl felt her mother holding her tighter and tighter, probably out of fear that she might escape. She also felt something heavy pressing her shoulder down, as if trying to prevent her from standing up: her teacher’s hand. She felt lightheaded and confused, unable to make sense of Mr. Cardoso’s words. When he stopped talking, the intern held the microphone up to the girl’s lips. Susi held the typed speech before her daughter’s eyes. Miss Norma tightened her grip on her student’s shoulder. The girl tried to contain an urge to cry. She was a speaker, she had to speak!
She opened her mouth and let her words explode in a burst of sobs. “Down with oppression! Down with the dictatorship!” She was able to chant the slogan twice, before the intern cut off her mic.
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