Mom picks Laura up from kindergarten at lunchtime today, pushing baby Toby in the stroller. The sun is shining, butterflies are fluttering, bees are buzzing, and birds are singing. Laura is unusually quiet. Mom sees her wiping away a tear and asks gently: “Laura, what’s wrong?”
Laura burst into tears. “I wanted to play with Leonie, but she said: ‘Go away! You’re fat and ugly! I don’t want to play with you!’” Mom takes her in her arms. “Did Leonie really say that? That’s not true at all! God made you beautiful. Maybe Leonie is sad because her parents are separating.”
Laura thinks about this and feels somewhat comforted. Then she says quietly: “But I’m really taller than the other girls…” Mom smiles. “Let’s sit on this bench for a moment. I want to tell you a story.”
She begins: “Once upon a time, there was a large, gray animal. Much bigger than the other animals in the jungle. With huge ears, it could fan itself with fresh air. Its long trunk helped it to grab things, squirt water, and make funny noises.
“It was clever and friendly and liked to help others. But the animals often didn’t want to play with him. Some were even scared! That made him sad. He tried to make himself smaller, but no matter how much he ducked, he remained the biggest animal in the jungle.
“One day, he cried in despair. Then God asked: ‘Why are you crying?’
“The animal sobbed: ‘The others don’t like me because I’m too big.’
“Then God lovingly said, ‘I made you just as you are, and all my works are good. You are an elephant. If you make yourself small, you are just a bent elephant. But I want you to be happy. Use your strength, your mind, and your heart to help others.’”
Then Mom paused and stroked Laura’s cheek. “You know, I used to be taller than my friends, too. But at some point, I understood: The color of our eyes, our hair, or how tall we are doesn’t matter. Only that we are loving, helpful, and friendly. You are beautiful and so loved just the way God made you.”
Helene Rotfuss
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