Bubble boy – a fairy tale

Once upon a time there was a boy who thought differently. As long as he was small and cute he was appreciated for his freshness and unique way of thinking. Everything he said and everything he did seemed wonderful and there was sunshine all around. He could do no wrong.

Then came school. The boy, so used to being encouraged to just be himself was part of the crowd. Now that was not easy. Every time now he asked a question or made a statement, he was looked at strangely. Some even laughed, thinking he was making a joke. But he was not joking at all. It took some time for the boy to realise that something was wrong.

All around him were tables and chairs and things that sat on them. He alone, was a moving ray, catching the sun as it shone from varied angles. He was reflecting the rays and each reflection was unique. But then, these bright lights and their reflections became a pain for those around him. Especially the ones who tried to beat him into shape, into what they thought he should be.

The boy however, was like this flexi bubble: every time he was flattened into a bewildered mass, it took him some time to understand that this was not it. They wanted him flat and biddable, so that they could walk over him and keep him in one place: while all the time, he would get back into his little bubble shape and float upwards. It became a game for the boy: for his controllers, it became a battle of wills.

It could not last long. The fairy tale ended. Or did it begin? We don’t know. The boy learnt to flatten his bubble when he went into the common environment. He tried his best to keep flat and not bubble up – and most of the time he succeeded. Sometimes, little bubbles would pop up about his flat surface threatening to betray him. The flat substance around him would notice and exclaim or be rowdy, slapping him back to flatness. The bubble came back some time later, when he was on his own, lightening up dark evenings that were happy evenings.

So what did he become? We never did find out. He was flat and luminous by turns. Who was he? Those close to him discovered some glimmer of it but never could catch the light. But one day, he was destined to be the sun. I am quite sure of it.

Dedicated to A. For all the times we saw the sun shine out of him! :)