Can you recognize yourself?

Chapter 2

We walked a few aimless miles. Some of the time we simply observed the scenery. Other times, he would inject anecdotes at opportune moments. We passed the elementary school near my home.

 "You see those children? They have no clue what lies ahead. Imagine if they did?"

 We study the children for sometime. In the distance, a little boy is smiling from ear to ear. He is mingling peacefully with the other children. He runs to give a girl a hug. A teacher is seen clapping and fawning over the behavior in adoration. 

 "Why do we lose this essence when we grow older? Look how happy the children are." I ponder. We sit in silence a bit longer as we observe the children for a bit more.

 "Tell me Diana, which of these children resembles your little self most?" I look around a bit harder to see if I could find a kid who resonates. At first, it is difficult. They all are so joyful and animated. 

 "Look harder." The man emphasizes. I focus my attention strictly on the task at hand. He must already have someone in mind. I see a girl picking her nose and wiping it on her dress. A boy shooting a basketball. Another boy making airplane noises and running around with his arms spread wide. Then it hit me. In a tucked away corner, I see a little girl on a swing. She is sitting by herself. It seems as if the kids have forgotten about her. 

 She appears to be humming and kicking her feet in a jolly fashion. She doesn't understand that she is alone. I stare at her with compassion before the man injects as if he were reading my thoughts. "It's not that she appears to be alone. She is alone indeed. And along her path, the girl will also face many battles alone."

 I grow defensive. "How in the world could you know what she'd have to go through? And why would you wish that on her anyway?" I walk away in a frenzy, too upset to wait for the man's reaction. The sound of a train overtakes the neighborhood as I make my way back onto the little path. The man is silent. He doesn't stop me. In fact, it doesn't seem as if he was the least bit moved.