Score |
126
Izrplays
Student @ Uniabuja
Student @ Uniabuja
Look Closer
<p>They smile with all their teeth.</p><p><br/></p><p>That's how you know it's hiding something.</p><p><br/></p><p>When a child is truly happy, they laugh with their whole body. Their shoulders shake. Their eyes disappear.</p><p><br/></p><p>But when a child is hurting, they give you a neat, perfect smile. </p><p>A practiced one.</p><p><br/></p><p>They smile when they are hungry.</p><p>They smile when their mates laughed at their shoes.</p><p>They smile when mama and papa shouted all night and they didn't sleep.</p><p>They smile when the teacher asks, "Are you okay?" because they have learned that "I'm fine" makes the adults go away faster.</p><p><br/></p><p>Little children are small philosophers. They have already learned what took us years to learn:</p><p><br/></p><p>That if you cry too loud, they will call you troublesome.</p><p>That if you tell the truth, someone might be sad because of you.</p><p>So they carry their pain the way they carry too-big school bags - straps digging into their shoulders, but still smiling, still walking.</p><p><br/></p><p>They hide oceans behind dimples.</p><p><br/></p><p>If you look close, you will see it -</p><p>The smile reaches the mouth, but doesn't reach the eyes.</p><p>The laughter comes too quickly.</p><p>They say "I'm okay" before you even ask.</p><p><br/></p><p>So next time a little child gives you a brave, bright, too-perfect smile, don't just say "What a happy child."</p><p><br/></p><p>Kneel down. Meet their eyes. And whisper,</p><p>"You don't have to smile if you don't want to. I'm here."</p><p><br/></p><p>And watch how that ocean finally finds somewhere to go.</p>
|
14
Other insights from Izrplays
Contributor Points
Points-to-Coupons
Referral Earning
Insights for you.
Silence: The things we don't say.🥺
I walked out of my house, shutting the door behind me, and moved to the terrace.I neede...
226 views
59 upvotes
63 comments
2 a.m.
Maybe it's all the nights I spent not sleepingOr all the days I sat thinkingOf how I've...
243 views
51 upvotes
49 comments
Yours in the Empty
Losing a father is one thing,Losing a best friend is another.Losing the "head" is one t...
393 views
60 upvotes
44 comments
I’m Skinny, and So What?
What if I told you that I have cried more over my own arms than over any guy who has ev...
208 views
48 upvotes
50 comments
After Alhaji
"Kai, yarinyar nan ta yi sa'a ƙwarai.""Wallahi. Alhaji Ibrahim da kansa zai aura ta.""T...
261 views
37 upvotes
44 comments
One step forward, Three steps back
I'm tired...But not for the reason you're thinking How much more must life take?How muc...
423 views
51 upvotes
40 comments
Shocking Generosity.
Dear Mr. Smith,Good afternoon, sir. I hope this letter meets you well.I write to profus...
97 views
42 upvotes
40 comments
A Passing Thought
Literally didn't even know it,How could I miss it when it was always right in front of ...
359 views
62 upvotes
30 comments
