Molly and Her Monsters

Molly slowly opened her eyes. She stretched and yawned welcoming in the new day after a good night’s sleep.

Suddenly she remembered it was a school day. She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom mirror. Much to her disappointment nothing had changed. Her freckles were still there, and her bright red hair didn’t change to a beautiful golden blond or brown.

Last night in her prayers, she asked God to make her blond or brunette just like the other girls at school. She also asked God if he would erase her freckles. She continued to gaze at the sleepy face looking back at her from the mirror. Her fiery red hair and green eyes stood out like a sore thumb. Or so she thought. Molly sighed. A tear ran down her cheek as she began to get ready for school. She knew she faced another day of bullying from the other children because they said she was a freak because of her red hair and freckles.

While tying her shoes, a wonderful smell floated up the stairs and into her room. Was it bacon and eggs for breakfast? Her favorite!

“Molly?” She heard her mother call her. “Breakfast is ready! Hurry up dear or you’ll be late for school.”

Ten-year-old Molly Perkins didn’t care if she was late, but she did care about missing out on her favorite breakfast!

“I’m coming!” Molly yelled back as she grabbed her backpack and raced downstairs.

After a delicious breakfast which Molly devoured in a matter of minutes, she gathered her backpack, swung it over her shoulder and hugged her mom goodbye.

“Have a nice day a school Molly.” Molly started to feel uncomfortable as her mother looked deep into her eyes. “Remember, you are beautiful and kind. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”

Molly smiled and gave her a big hug.

“I’ll remember.” She replied cheerfully. “See you later!”

The walk to school was only a few blocks away from Molly’s house. As she approached Sunshine Elementary, she saw the boys and girls flooding through the main gate. Molly quickly crossed the street, entered the school and made her way to her classroom. She looked at her wristwatch. 7:30! She didn’t want to be late.

When Molly entered the classroom, the other students were already seated. As usual she heard some laughter as she walked to her desk. When she reached her desk, she noticed immediately someone had drawn a large stick figure picture with flames coming out of the head for hair. There was a note. MOLLY THE FIREHEAD.

Molly decided to ignore the drawing as she ignored everything else and sat down. Her teacher, Miss Jones, clapped her hands repeatedly until she had the class’s full attention.

“Children there will be none of this in my classroom!” pointing to Molly’s desk. She quickly set a bottle of cleaning spray and paper towels on the corner of her own desk and informed everyone that whoever drew the awful picture will miss recess and clean up their mess. “And you know who you are!” she warned.

Halfheartedly the class repeated in unison, “Yees, Miss Jones.”

“Very well then. Open your math books and let’s get started.”

A few hours later, Molly sat outside on the playground by herself. She watched the other children playing and wished she could play too. Molly knew she could run and jump as high and fast as the rest of them!

She then looked down at her feet wondering why they wouldn’t let her play with them. Why they teased her so much. Was she really a freak like they said she was?

Not a moment later a group of children walked over to where she was sitting.

“Hey, Molly!” a boy named Ben asked. His voice was sarcastic and mean. “Why don’t you come and play? Oops, you better not! Your hair might catch on fire! Ha Ha. Ouch!” The other kids chuckled except a girl named Susie. She never talked to Susie much but after Ben’s comment she looked extremely uncomfortable.

Ben continued his bullying. “Did you know your face has so many freckles you look like a pizza? Maybe that’s what we should call you from now on? Pizza face!”

“Hey Ben.” Susie was getting tired of this, and she could see Molly was too. “Stop it right now. Can’t you see she’s not bothering you. Leave her alone.”

Molly couldn’t believe it. Susie wanted to help her. Molly quickly stood up and walked away before things became worse. She found a secluded area by herself and began to cry. Why did she look so strange, so ugly? Why didn’t she have any friends?

As the months went on Molly’s grades began to fall. Her mother was very worried. The bullying continued and Molly became even more quiet and withdrawn. Her mother went to the school to speak with the principal. This helped for a little while but not for long.

One day after school Molly decided to go to the park. No one knew her there and she thought it would be fun to play on the swings. There she would be free from name calling and teasing.

Molly loved the park. The trees were enormous and so green! The play area had slides, swings, seesaws and a sandbox! She ran to the swings and jumped on. She swung higher and higher until it seemed as if she could touch the sky. At that moment, her heart soared. She forgot about school and all the children. All she wanted to do was swing.

That’s when she heard a voice.

“Excuse me, Molly? That’s your name, isn’t it?”

Molly slowed the swing to a halt. A strange old man was standing beside the swing set. He wore a tattered old coat, gray pants and dirty tennis shoes. Where did he come from and how did he know her name? She noticed his eyes were kind and they sparkled when he spoke. He didn’t have to smile much because his eyes twinkled in the sunlight as if they were smiling for him.

Then she remembered her mother told her never to talk to strangers, but this man seemed different. He radiated goodness.

Molly gulped and answered him. “Yes sir, my name is Molly. How did you know?”

The man laughed and threw back his head with delight. “Oh, sweet Molly there are a few things I don’t know then there are a lot of things I do know. And I know your name is Miss Molly Perkins.”

“My name is Harry. How do you do.” Harry bowed before her as any gentleman would have done.

“You can call me old’ Harry if you want to. Hey Molly, what are you doing out here all alone? Where are your friends?”

Molly hung her head and starred at the ground.

“No one wants to be my friend because they say I’m strange and ugly.”

“Ugly! Harry exclaimed. “How are you ugly? Who said that I can’t believe it! You’re a beautiful little girl.” She looked at Harry’s twinkling eyes.

“It’s my hair and freckles. The kids tease me at school, that’s why no one likes me.”

“Now you listen here Miss Molly. I have never seen such beautiful coppery red hair in all my life. Why look at you! Your hair shines like gold in the afternoon sun! And those freckles? Did you know freckles are really angel kisses?”

Molly looked up excitedly. Really?

“Yes.” Harry replied. “And you have a lot of them!”

Harry’s voice became concerned. “Molly when the kids tease you at school, how do you feel inside?”

She thought about it and replied, “I don’t feel anything. It’s like I shrivel up. I disappear.”

Harry continued. “Do you say anything to make them stop or do you allow them to hurt you in this way?”

Again, Molly starred at the ground. She realized she didn’t do or say anything because she was afraid.

“No Harry, I don’t. I don’t believe I can make them stop.”

“Hmm, said Harry, “Sounds like you don’t believe in yourself. Do you believe what these children say about you is true?”

Molly didn’t answer.

Harry pointed a finger at her. “Look Molly, when you hear comments, opinions or judgements from other people, it doesn’t mean it’s true. It’s just their opinion. If you believe it, you are creating your own monsters. Those thoughts you believe that your ugly and strange turn into terrible monsters and THEY WILL hurt you.”

If you believe what they say is true you are bullying yourself. Love yourself no matter what anyone says. God creates us in all sorts of special ways, and he created you with a mane of glorious red hair complete with angel kisses! Now that’s quite a package!”

Harry had been sitting on the swing next to her but now he stood up and with one final word he said, “One day you will discover your uniqueness but for now don’t let those negative thoughts and feelings run you down.”

Suddenly, Molly felt very dizzy. She closed her eyes as Harry’s words seemed to swirl around her and seep into her head and heart like a bolt of lightning.

When she opened her eyes again Harry was gone. She looked at the swing he was sitting in beside her and there she found a single white feather. It was white as snow.

Molly raced home to tell her mother. She ran faster than she ever before! It wasn’t long before she burst into her house like a cyclone calling out for her mother.

“Mom! Mom! Where are you?” She called out impatiently.

“I’m in her Molly. Dinner is almost ready. Hurry up and wash your hands.”

As if her mother’s words flew in one ear and out the other, she charged into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist.

“My goodness!” her mother exclaimed, “What’s brought this on?”

”Mom, I just wanted to say how much I love you.”

Her mother embraced Molly, “Oh Molly I love you too. So very much!”

That night as Molly lay in bed, she began to say her prayers but this time instead of crying and pleading she felt such gratitude in her heart. She asked God to watch over her and the other children at school. Especially Ben. She also said a special prayer for Harry.

The next day at school Molly faced Ben and his friends again. This time instead of hiding inside herself, she stood tall, held her head high and refused to allow herself to shrivel up and disappear.

While on the playground Susie asked her if she wanted to have lunch together. Just as Molly was about to answer here came Ben.

“Hey, Susie, what are you doing hanging around with the freak?”

This time Molly stood up and faced Ben. Her bright green eyes peered into his, their noses almost touched.

“Look Ben”, began Molly, “If you think bullying people is fun, I suggest you go somewhere else and do it, or better yet, don’t do it at all. You will never hurt me or anyone again because your words are not true!”

She pointed her finger at him.

“And another thing. Don’t come near me, Susie or anyone of us ever again. If you do my red hair may turn to fire and then we’ll see how tough you are! Got it?”

She looked him squarely in the eye. Nose to nose her finger firmly thumped his chest with each word she spoke.

Ben held up his hands in surrender.

“Alright, alright. I got it. Whatever! Come on”, he said to the other kids, “Let’s go.” But no one moved.

“Fine then! He yelled, you’re all a bunch of losers!” He turned and walked away.

That afternoon at lunch time Molly, Susie and the other children laughed and grew to know each other as friends. Molly thought of Harry, and she knew he was right. It doesn’t matter what we look like or where we come from. We’re people, brothers, sisters, friends, mothers and fathers. Molly was happy because she learned to believe in herself.

After school as she walked up the steps to her front porch, and there on the welcome mat was a single white feather.

“Harry?” Molly wondered. She gently bent down to pick it up the feather. She whispered to herself and to Harry, “Thank you Harry!”