Adult Failure

Sometimes we say things, especially to children, that have unintended consequences. This short story is based an actual experience.

Many years ago, a darling little 8-year-old girl,

Dreamed of singing Sound of Music songs,

In unison with the Von Trapp family singers,

From atop the Austrian Alps.

 

One bright summer day, a trusting 8-year-old girl,

Riding in the backseat of a ’65 Oldsmobile Cutlass,

Sits alone on the brown leather seat.

 

As they travel through the pine scented Adirondack mountains,

She sees her reflection in the glass window,

And imagines herself singing as she walks along the babbling forest brook,

As red squirrels and white-tailed deer peer out with curiosity,

Like seeing herself performing in a movie musical.

 

Traveling with her aunt and dearest uncle,

She feels special, like a Hollywood star being chauffeured to the Oscars.  

An unassuming 8-year-old girl,

With unwavering passion, she sings loudly, “The Hills are Alive”.

 

As this bright hazel eyed 8-year-old girl continues to sing,

Her dearest uncle while driving turns his head slightly towards her,

And looking back at her he says thoughtfully,   

“I really wish you were on the radio.”

 

A newly confident 8-year-old girl,

Elated, feels his great adoration within every fiber of her being,

And thinks to herself, “He, my most adored uncle, thinks I sing well.

My dreams are really coming true.”

 

As his words of praise sink into the depths of her soul,

To their 8-year-old niece,

This aunt and the dearest uncle,

Look at her with broad smiles, and in unison say to her,

“So that we can shut you off!”

 

A confused 8-year-old girl,

Now sits silently in shame,

And sinks away into the deep crevice of the back seat,

Feeling utterly crushed inside,

With an extreme sense of failure,

Now suddenly loses her voice,

And sits through the rest of the trip and beyond in silence.

 

Amused, her aunt and uncle traveled the rest of the way in silence too.

Totally oblivious to the shattered girl, sitting alone in the back seat, 

Yet her aunt and uncle were the ones that really failed that day.

 

Adult words to a child, and to the little child within each of each, are powerful,

May we use our words to build up not to tear down!

Author's Note

Constructive feedback is very welcome!

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

If there were any technical issues with this, they were completely blown away by the story line. Wow. I can relate to this so well. Words can't really break bones, but they are every bit as damaging, and sometimes more so. I was crushed by words when little, too, and still wrestle with the affects. Woe be unto those who are too clumsy when speaking to a child. They are sponges who soak up every little thing and take it inside of their fragile selves. I hope you have more writing, for this is the most impactful thing I've read in a while.

[Debbie]

Hi Samuel,
Sorry for the late reply. I am new to this and posted my comment to you in the overall comments and not to you directly. Thanks for your feedback! You articulate so very well the immediate and all too often lasting effects of our "clumsy" words when speaking to a child. I also still wrestle with these effects.
Thanks again,
Debbie

[Samuel Dickens]

Believe me--you're not the first to write a reply in the wrong box. You'll figure it all out very soon.

[Delmar Cooper]

I have many flaws, but one is not that I always tell the truth. I tell my best and grandest lies to children, oh don't get me wrong and include hot stoves and biting dogs. Even I will break pattern to be truthful in those instances. If children believe they are charmed creatures it does me no harm to join in; if a conjured tale is thrilling and fun when the bald truth is stale and boring give me the lie every time.

[Debbie]

Well stated! Thanks for sharing! Not squashing one's imagination is definitely a strength!

[Debbie]

Thanks Sarah for your thoughts! Yes, I think that being oblivious to our "jokes" is a perfect way to describe it, almost like we become numb and detached, mostly from ourselves, maybe as a way to cope, but then hurt others in the process.

[LazerRays]

Ah, this happens a lot with my parents. They say something that hurts and they ar completely oblivious to it. Jokes can hurt a lot.

[Debbie]

Thanks Sarah for your thoughts! Sorry for the late reply. I am new to this and posted a general comment, not realizing that I could post to you directly. Yes, I think that being oblivious to our "jokes" is a perfect way to describe it, almost like we become numb and detached, mostly from ourselves, maybe as a way to cope, but then hurt others in the process.

[Debbie]

Hi Samuel,
Thanks for your feedback! You articulate so very well the immediate and all too often lasting effects of our "clumsy" words when speaking to a child. I also still wrestle with these effects.
Thanks again,
Debbie