I originally posted this in "Among Friends," but that topic doesn't seem to get a lot of traffic, so thought I would put it here too:
A neighbor's 9 year old daughter is very shy. As part of a school assignment, they have to "assume the identity" of a famous historical woman (because she is a girl). They have to dress up like the person and get in front of the class and pretend they are that person--and talk about their life.
My neighbor's daughter chose Helen Keller because she knew she was deaf and blind--and she thought she couldn't talk either. She came home from school and told her mother about it, and her mother told her that Helen Keller had learned to talk! Her daughter was all upset and asked if there was anyone who couldn't see, hear, or talk!! 
