Short Stories

---

Sarah's first day of fifth grade couldn't come soon enough after helping on her parent's farm all summer. Walking along the leaf-covered country road, Sarah heard the piercing call of the school bell but ignored it, thinking about seeing her friends.

"Sarah, hurry up! Mrs. Clarke will be angry if we're late," hollered her brother, running ahead.

Sarah's pace quickened as she recalled how popular she'd been the year before and how much fun she would have with her friends again this year. Unlike her twin brother Luke, Sarah liked visiting with her friends instead of paying attention in class.

"Good morning children. I hope everyone enjoyed his summer vacation." The one-room school filled with noisy excitement. "Settle down. Before we begin our lessons, I want to introduce a new student to you. Her name's Kathleen Field."

As Kathleen moved to the front of the room in her wheelchair, everyone stared at her.

"Kathleen has cerebral palsy," said Mrs. Clarke.

"What's that?" asked Sarah's best friend.

Mrs. Clarke explained cerebral palsy meant Kathleens' muscles didn't work correctly because her brain had been damaged when she was born.

As Sarah and Luke walked home that afternoon, Sarah listened to her brother talk about nothing but Kathleen. She wondered why everyone was interested. Nearing the farmhouse, Sarah watched him run ahead to see their father who stood by the barn door. Sarah walked past Luke as she heard him telling Father about Kathleen.

"What do you think of the new girl, Sarah?" called Father.

Sarah shrugged, and walked into the house to see Mother.

"Hi, Sarah. How was your day?"

"We've got a new girl in school," answered Sarah. "Her name's Kathleen Field. She can't walk. And she talks so no one can understand her very well! Luke's outside telling Father about her. I don't understand why he's making a fuss. Mrs. Clarke says she has brain damage."

"Sarah," said Mother, "you shouldn't hurry to judge her. You know what it says in the Bible. Why not give her a chance? I'm sure she's very nice. You could make a new friend."

Sarah looked at her mother knowing what she meant, but walked away feeling unsure of what she'd do. "What am I going to do? A new girl in school and everyone's treating her like a queen! Even my best friend doesn't have time for me anymore," said Sarah. She walked into her bedroom to take off her sweater, and noticed her Bible laying on the dresser. She picked it up, and out fell the Bible verses she'd been given to memorize. When she picked up the list, she read the Golden Rule and wondered how it applied to the special newcomer.

Later that evening, as Sarah got ready for bed, she talked to God about Kathleen. "God, why did you send Kathleen to my school? She doesn't belong. She can't play. She can't think. She doesn't even know how to laugh or cry."

"G'night, Sarah. Sleep well," said Mother.

But Sarah wouldn't sleep well.

The following day, Mrs. Clarke asked Kathleen to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. As Kathleen began, Sarah giggled. Kathleen's face twisted into different shapes every time she spoke making it impossible to understand her. Kathleen stopped, wheeled out of the room, a single tear coming from her eye. When Mrs. Clarke left the room to talk to Kathleen, Sarah noticed everyone's attention riveted to her. Disapproving glances shot her way like arrows. Sarah's glance quickly shifted to her brother, but it was obvious she'd disappointed him, too.

After school, Mrs. Clarke talked to Sarah. "Sarah, I'm disappointed with your behavior. Kathleen's nervous being in a class like ours. Before she came to our school, she went to a school with only disabled children. You've never been the best student, but I've always looked to you as a role model for the other students," said Mrs. Clarke.

As Mrs. Clarke continued talking, Sarah began to cry. "It's unfair. Kathleen's pretty but she can't move or talk right. I don't know how to be her friend although I know it's what God wants." Sarah had made a big mistake by laughing at Kathleen and she knew it. She had disappointed her teacher, her friends, and that was pretty awful, but worst of all, she'd disappointed God.

Mrs. Clarke touched Sarah's hand. "I know. You're nervous about saying or doing the right thing, but ignoring Kathleen isn't going to change things. Why don't you try to get to know her?"

Sarah stared at the floor, ashamed of herself. She'd gone against what the Golden Rule had taught. "How can I, Mrs. Clarke? Kathleen will never forgive me," said Sarah.

"Why not have lunch with her tomorrow? She'll forgive you, if you're sincerely sorry," said Mrs. Clarke.

At noon the next day, the lunch bell rang. Sarah hurried to the lunchroom to eat. She hurried because she didn't want to come face-to-face with Kathleen until she was ready. But as she sat down on the bench, Sarah looked up and saw Kathleen and Luke coming toward her! Sarah sat frozen, hoping Kathleen would eat somewhere else.

"Luke, would you put my tray here? I want to eat with Sarah and her friends."

Sarah sat in disbelief as Luke set the tray down and waved goodbye to Kathleen.

"Thanks alot, Luke," yelled Sarah, as he walked away.

Sarah's worst fear stared her in the face. She couldn't get up and move to another table. That would be rude. And she couldn't ignore Kathleen. Sarah's face flushed bright red with anger. Sarah decided the time had come to confront her fear and jealousy of Kathleen by helping her.

"Do you need any help, Kathleen?" she asked.

Kathleen nodded. "Yeah, please open my milk and put my napkin under my chin."

Sarah nervously helped Kathleen while the other girls watched. "Is that okay? Can you reach everything?"

Sarah sat and watched Kathleen eat, ashamed of how she'd treated her. "I want to apologize," said Sarah. "I was jealous because everyone's been making a fuss over you. I laughed at you when I should have been helping you to get acquainted. But it seemed you had made friends without my help. The way I saw it, you didn't need me. I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?" asked Sarah.

Kathleen stopped eating. "I understand why you laughed. You're not the first to laugh, and I'm sure you won't be the last," said Kathleen. "But I do need your help."

"But how can I help you?"

"That's what you don't understand. Sure, people pay attention to me in the beginning. Then, it wears off and I'm one of the crowd. No one bothers to get to know who I am. They're interested in my wheelchair and why I talk funny. What I want most, is a friend, someone who accepts me for me," said Kathleen.

Sarah walked home by herself thinking about what Kathleen said. On the way, Sarah passed by Kathleen's mom's car. Sarah waved. She thanked God for sending Kathleen to her school, understanding that she was to be Kathleen's special friend.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE