Written by: Phoebe Shrestha - 26016, Grade X
Posted on: 28 August, 2023
In a small town, there lived a young girl named Lily. She always felt different from her classmates. Her classmates always used to mock her, excluding her from their games, calling her names. But she longed to be accepted, to find love and respect from those around her. One day she was walking nearby the forest when she saw a wounded bird with broken wings. She felt pity for the bird as she picked and took the bird with her in her house. She also realized that the bird was just like her, different, and in need of love and care.
Lily decided to take the bird back home and nurture it back to health. She named the bird Hope, as she believed that it symbolized hope itself. She took care of the bird for days, feeding, keeping it warm, talking to it, sharing her problems and dreams with the bird. As weeks passed, the bird’s wing healed and it regained its strength. Lily thought that it was the time that this bird should go but surprisingly, Hope did not fly away but perched on her shoulder as a sign of friendship. Like Lily, it seemed that Hope found comfort in Lily's presence. At this news of Lily’s special bond with Hope was spreaded through the town and that is when people started seeing Lily in a different way. They realized her uniqueness. Now her classmates slowly liked her, approached her, eager to learn something about her interests and dreams. Slowly, with time, Lily blossomed. She became more confident in herself. After knowing that her differences were not a barrier for love and respect. She also learned to respect herself with full heart. And in doing so, she discovered that acceptance was transferable. It paved the way for love and respect not to herself but also to others. Lily’s journey taught her a valuable lesson that acceptance is the first step towards love and respect. It needs understanding, empathy, and an open heart. Each person has their own story, own struggles, and they have their own rights in it. They have a unique story and experiences. By accepting ourselves, that will also make others do the same. From that day forward, Lily became an advocate for acceptance and kindness. She started speaking out for participation and kindness after that. She told others about her experience, expressing the idea that appreciating difference creates a more loving and respectful society because acceptance had not only healed the bird’s wing but also repaired her own soul, she felt a different connection with Hope. The injured bird became a reminder of the transformative power of acceptance.
In conclusion, the story teaches us that acceptance is the first step toward love and respect, whether it is for oneself or for others. Accepting our own uniqueness and qualities opens the door for us to understand and appreciate the difference in others. Acceptance creates a space for empathy, kindness and connections, ultimately resulting in a world that is more peaceful and tolerant.
