Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: INDEFATIGABLE (02/11/16)
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TITLE: One Word Among Many | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lea Austin
02/18/16 -
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Indefatigable peers into the bathroom mirror, gazing at the reflection of her word-sister, Tireless. Fighting jealousy, she examines the simple beauty of her sibling as they both prepare themselves for work. As her thoughts tumble down the staircase of comparison, self-doubt rises to the top.
"If we both were chosen and placed in the same book, why does everyone prefer Tireless to me?" she ponders. "I work just as hard as she does, but she is constantly asked to be part of articles and books while I attract little attention. What makes everybody like her so much while I get ignored most of the time?
"It's obvious I'm not perfect. That I know far better than anyone else. I do indeed have a pronounced genetic flaw. But I didn't choose my name, and I can't help it if one of my syllables seems out of place. Belittlers should try listening to their names being constantly fumbled and stumbled off tongues. Better yet, they should strain to hear the chasm of silence when lips finally give up, and choose instead to use a synonym.
"I also can't help that I don't have an important family lineage. Though Tireless can stand on her undisputed Old English roots, my records are nebulous, designating me as either Latin or French. No one knows which. Maybe neither wanted to claim me.
"I definitely have a harder time fitting in with other words the way Tireless does. That's probably why people look past me and choose her. Maybe I should just quit trying to measure up to her."
Resigning herself to being a word wallflower, Indefatigable still determines to be the best word she can be. She knows she doesn't want to repeat the hard lessons, as well as the embarrassment, of manipulating circumstances in order to be recognized. Resolving to wait patiently in her assigned place, she learns to abide by the standard of the book of words and to resist the urge to overstep boundaries. Until she is called for service, she practices rejoicing with other words as they are used and acknowledged, and refuses the temptation to pity herself. Still, it's a frustrating wait.
Eventually Indefatigable begins to find peace in the waiting, and her perspective on what it means to be a word becomes clearer. Instead of appraising the book of words from the viewpoint of her own entry, she begins to see her own tiny entry in light of the massive book of words. From this broader vantage point, she recognizes that she is one word among many. Here, it is clear that no word in the book is more or less important than any other word. It becomes obvious that not being called on as frequently as another word does not lessen the importance of her place in the book.
She is astonished at how prideful her thoughts have been. She is neither author nor editor of the word book, and her placement in it is exactly as it should be. Her only responsibility is to occupy and fulfill one entry in the book-- hers. As she fulfills her assignment, whether great or small, she has a part in making the whole book better. The fact that she is in the book at all is what validates her and cultivates contentment-- and humility. Indefatigable is finally learning that the most important work of being a word among many words is staying in the place you are assigned, filling that place, and being ready to serve when the author calls you.
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I enjoyed your take on it, especially with the growing sense that it was a comparison to valuing oneself as a person. On reflection, I felt that the first paragraph did not draw me in enough, and I might have given up and missed the treasures that followed. I THINK I was confused by the personification of the two words. That they could be staring into a bathroom mirror possibly messed with my head. I hope this is helpful!
I will say I was hoping for more interaction w/the sisters. But it's hard to fit a ton in 750 words.
Well done! No red ink and several giggles--pronounced genetic flaw indeed, haa.
I agree with most of the comments above. An excellent analogy indeed!
I did have to laugh at Bea's comment. And I disagreed with the comment that the first sentence didn't draw her in. It certainly drew me in. Keep up the good writing. I am enjoying your submissions.