Author: Reenu M.
Mitali was sitting with downcast
eyes in front of her computer. Her mother who had come into the room to put the
ironed clothes in the cupboard, saw Mitali looking so sad. She was very
concerned and so she put an arm around Mitali and asked her what the matter was.
Mitali said, “Mumma, the girls in my class were discussing about doing a video
for our teacher Miss Kavita; it is her birthday. I love Miss Kavita, so I
wanted to be part of this video, but they declined saying I was too fat and
ugly, and they did not want to spoil their effort. You are so pretty and slim,
Mumma. I am your daughter so how come I am not like you?” Saying this, she put
her head into her hands and sobbed.
Her Mom gathered her close, wiped
her tears and said, “My dear, yes, you are my daughter who paints and writes so
well that even Miss Kavita told me at the PTA meeting that I should enable you
to harness this talent. You know my writing; I can barely string words
together. And painting? Remember, how I tried to do rangoli last Diwali and everyone
asked me to stop wasting my time and tell you to do it?”
The recollection of that day
brought a slight smile to Mitali’ face. Her Mom was encouraged to say further,
“And who says that Miss Kavita can only receive a video? Did you know that she
is a writer too and her late father loved to paint? Why don’t you make a
painting & write something nice for Miss Kavita?”
Mitali was thrilled with her
effort on her present for Miss Kavita whose birthday celebration was at the end of the online
classes today. Some boys presented her with an online skit, and the girls presented
their video. Others who were not included in skit or video just showed her
their handmade cards. Miss Kavita oohed and aahed & smiled through all of
it. When my turn came, & I presented a painting of her with a poem about
her father talking about her. The whole class fell silent as Miss Kavita was crying
and looked at me with scorn in their eyes. I was terrified at the hate messages
popping on my phone when Miss Kavita spoke “Mitali, I missed my father so much
today. When I see this awesome painting and read your lovely poem about my
father speaking to me from beyond, I just felt so special and so loved. Thank
you my dear, I will treasure this for the rest of my life”.
The messages stopped coming. I
was so happy.
Zinger for the Day:
You were born to be real; so, you
are perfect just the way you are.
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