The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXIII

U. TUVSHINZAYA
J. OUYN-ERDENE, TEACHER
School #2, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Courage means different things to everyone, but to me, courage means not
sacrificing yourself to please others. Not being ashamed of anyone, not being
afraid of others, not being ashamed of being a minority in society, and not
blaming yourself for not being liked by others are admirable characteristics.
This incident happened a few years ago. There was a girl in my class who was
teased just because she was a little different. No one wanted to talk to her, let
alone approach her. The worst thing was that even I didn’t like the girl. I just
thought that I didn’t like her because she wasn’t like the others. But I decided
that I wanted to get close to her, and I just wanted to talk. I approached her
carefully, little by little, but then she went away without saying anything to me.
I kept trying to talk to her the next day and the day after that. After many days
of trying, I was able to speak to her. She seemed so bright, and so true, and so
mysterious. This made me want to know the child better.
“I DIDN’T KNOW MY
ACT OF KINDNESS
WOULD MAKE SUCH
A DIFFERENCE IN ONE
PERSON’S LIFE.”
I got closer to her, and later, I started talking about personal things, and she
started telling me about her feelings and shared her sensitive issues, too. I just
hugged her when she told me that she hated herself because everyone hated
her, she disliked herself because everyone disliked her, and she didn’t want to be
close to anyone because no one would accept her and understand her anyway.
Even though I was disgusted with myself, I didn’t have the courage to apologize
to her. It’s too sad to say that if I hadn’t been close to her, I would never have
known her. But the most amazing thing is that the child has changed beyond
recognition. She told me that it was really wonderful, and I was so proud and
respected her when she told me, “Now, I will not blame myself, and will not
hate myself, and will not try to please everyone.” I didn’t know my act of
kindness would make such a difference in one person’s life. I am so happy that
I embraced her when everyone hated her just because she was different.
In fact, to a greater or lesser extent, everyone wonders what other people think
of them and whether they look stupid or not. I used to think that way all the
time. But now, I’m trying to please myself instead of pleasing others. I don’t
want to be like that, because I will lose myself if I try to please everyone.
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND
VOLUME XXXIII
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