Once upon a time, nestled in a tranquil hamlet, its inhabitants led lives that were neither overly simple nor excessively complex. Here, every individual was engaged in the relentless currents of a competitive world. Amidst this backdrop of competition, a tiny baby girl resided in her mother’s womb, still untouched by the world’s complexities. However, one fateful day, this curious infant decided to embark on a minute mischievous adventure, unwittingly setting in motion a chain of events that would imperil both her own existence and the life of her loving mother.

This tumultuous incident hastened her arrival into the world, bringing her into existence amidst the chaos. However, young Karma’s fate was far from unfavorable. Despite her mischievous tendencies, she grew up as one of the most endearing individuals in her small community. Beginning her schooling at a tender age, she found herself in the same classroom for two consecutive years, until her teachers, moved by her persistence, finally granted her a passing grade out of sheer compassion.

She achieved this unique feat by adopting an introverted approach, refraining from responding to her teachers’ questions during exams. In her eyes, she preferred facing punishment over receiving praise, believing that earning accolades required an excessive amount of effort (a belief not entirely unfounded). During her school days, she even chose to endure the discomfort of responding to nature’s call in her pants and skirt rather than muster the courage to seek assistance. Consequently, she remained the isolated, unkempt soul in her class, occupying the farthest corner. It was a situation that left few willing to engage with such an unconventional character.

She had earned a variety of unflattering nicknames like ‘scaredy little rat,’ ‘dumb,’ ‘mute,’ and ‘lazy bones.’ Her reputation was such that she would actively avoid people, fearing the inevitable inquiry into her name that felt like doomsday to her. Nevertheless, her parents never gave up on her, tirelessly instilling resilience and determination to help her break free from her self-imposed cocoon. Despite their unwavering support, she continued to see herself as an outcast, perpetually trapped in a state of low self-esteem, where hope seemed to dissipate into thin air.

Gradually, she found herself ignored and even despised by her own community. While she remained a precious jewel in her parents’ eyes and an ‘angry bird’ to her younger siblings due to her frequent temper outbursts towards them, her presence went largely unnoticed by the rest. Her parents held onto a singular hope, a fervent prayer that she would someday emerge like a radiant star, eclipsing all others by breaking through the barriers that had shrouded her. Indeed, the timid girl carried within her a wealth of untold stories waiting to be revealed.

                       To be continue…

Written by Aror Shangh