Selfish Smile!
The school’s bell rang, marking the end of a strenuous history class. As students shuffled out, animatedly discussing their weekend plans, Noah’s peers exchanged snickers and whispers, pointing at him. His reputation as the ‘unsmiley boy’ had solidified over the years, becoming a perennial topic of schoolyard jeers.
“Hey, Noah! Ever heard of this thing called a smile? Or did you forget how it works?” teased Mark, the ringleader of the bullies, causing a ripple of laughter among his group.
Noah, adjusting his glasses and carrying a mountain of books, looked up, his face devoid of emotion. “Mark, I’ve told you, I smile when there’s a reason.”
But Mark’s mockery didn’t concern Noah as much as the nagging thought that had taken root in his mind. In class, their history teacher, Mr. Sanders, had asked a question about the resilience of people living in London during the Blitz. Noah’s intricate answer had detailed the psychological, social, and economic dimensions of their survival. Yet, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he’d missed something. The essence, perhaps.
That evening, he sat down with his grandfather, a well-read historian, and recounted his answer. Grandpa listened patiently and then said, “Noah, you’re technically right. But resilience isn’t just about surviving hardships. It’s about finding joy, even in the direst of circumstances.”
The revelation struck a chord within Noah. He recalled reading about people singing in the underground shelters, children playing amidst the ruins, and communities coming together. He realized that perhaps the most significant resilience was in their ability to smile through adversity.
And so, the next day, Noah took a decision. He would smile, and not just for a fleeting moment, but for two whole days. It wasn’t out of defiance or to prove a point but a personal experiment of resilience. The corridors, the classrooms, the cafeteria – wherever he went, he wore a broad, unwavering smile.
While many were initially taken aback, by the second day, whispers turned into loud proclamations. “Look at Noah! Has he lost his mind?” “From no smile to this? What’s gotten into him?”
Jenny, a kind-hearted girl from his class, approached him during lunch. “Noah, why the change? It’s not like you.”
Noah, his smile still intact, replied, “I realized that there’s resilience in smiling, Jenny. Even if the world thinks it’s odd. Especially if the world thinks it’s odd.”
Jenny looked at him thoughtfully and then, breaking into a radiant smile herself, said, “Well, in that case, let’s be odd together.”
The two-day experiment ended, but its impact lingered. While Noah returned to his usual reserved self, he now understood the depth of emotions a smile could carry. And every so often, in the midst of classes, he would share a knowing smile with Jenny, a silent nod to their shared understanding of resilience.
Comments