#I am a rainbow in my own sky

Flora, a twelve-year girl writes a letter to her mother on the eve of her twelfth birthday about some changes of her mind. Here is her letter.

Dear Mum,

Each year when this day nears, I notice people around me unreasonably get busy with my likings and disliking with special care. I feel good with it and this time, I am a bit more excited because of my class party on the same day!

Two or three years ago, a sparrow frequently used to sit on a tree beside my window for few minutes. I passed many lonely afternoons with it. In one rainy afternoon when it left me, I started weeping. For the sparrow or loneliness, I do not know, tears fell down like the rain from the sky. I do not cry now, even when a long time friend quits friendship. I consider everything quite natural.

Recently, I kept my hair short as I felt comfortable and smart looking but it gave me a boy’s look a bit. Peers enjoyed it, and that made me to enjoy as well.

However, one day I faced with an extremely different situation. Some senior boys started teasing by addressing me “hi bro!” I got surprised and puzzled. I never anticipated this sort of behavior from my seniors. I got embarrassed. I failed to check my temper and ...quickly responded “hi sis!” it certainly surprised them too.

I thought that I needed to protect myself. No one else would come to do it for me.

Looking like a boy was not a problem for them. What made them to address me that way, just to hurt me, make me insignificant and small? What can I do if it affects me when they bully? Should I care little? Should I ignore? Should I react? If you ask, how should I react? Should I complain? Should I cry? Or, should I shout at that person?

I did all of them at times although I liked none. I just love to answer perfectly according to their attempts and I usually do it now. Because I know, my less caring attitude will never change them. They might be discouraged to bully me because of no response, but they surely start bullying in a different way immediately. I should try to change what I do not like for me.

Was it a joke? No, I never had joking relationship with my seniors. I felt that abusive, I felt it uncomfortable.

We all should speak-up when we feel uncomfortable no matter what other people would think of us. Because only victims suffer, others are simply the audiences sitting in a comfort zone watching the game.

I do not know how we can remove the social practices that hurt us. However, I am sure that ignoring those elements would never bring the changes.

I feel we need to learn how to react with such situation. Isn’t it better to learn from the beginning of life than to learn after being a victim? Silence is not always golden because it does not always work when we need.

I learnt from the sparrow how to remain strong. That was helpful for me to handle in the real world I run. Perhaps that shaped my mind to tell what I am telling today. I can tell what my heart speaks. I want to be a rainbow in my own sky, but never in someone else’s clouds.

Your cute daughter,

Flora

Written by Joyeta Moietree in Grade 05 (May, 2017), Apple Tree International School

[This writing was previously published in my school magazine - Apple Express 8th Edition. And yes! This is my first ever writing!]

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