To Be Different

On the first day of her new school, Hato skipped all the way there. She was so excited at all the new friends she’d meet. But when she got there, everything was different.

Everybody stared. Everybody whispered.

“Eww, what is that thing?”

“It’s hideous.”

“Is that a student?”

“What’s wrong with her?”

She tried her best to ignore them but Hato was walking by the time she’d reached her classroom. Nobody but the teacher was inside. She walked up to the desk. “Hi,” her voice was small. She was scared. The teacher looked up, startled at what she saw in front of her. “I—I’m Hato Risu. I’m a—a new student.”

The teacher gulped, trying to calm herself. She knew that everyone was different, but she’d never met anyone so different as Hato in all her life. “Welcome,” her voice was shaky. “I’m Miss Heartly.”

“Miss Heartly, why does everyone look at me funny?” Hato didn’t realize that she was all that different. She never looked or cared much about outward appearance.

But it was her own outward appearance that startled others. Hato, dressed all in shades of blue, the color of her eyes, had medium length blonde hair with squirrel ears peeking out of it. Protruding from holes in her clothing were the tail of a squirrel and the wings of a pigeon. Yet she didn’t realize that she was any different, she didn’t see herself that way.

“Hato, where you come from does everybody look like you do?”

Hato only blinked. “I don’t know.”

Miss Heartly placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Hato, here in the United States, we don’t have wings and a tail, like you do. It is a strange sight for us to see. We’ve never seen such—such beauty before. You know what I think?” The teacher leaned closer. “I think they’re all jealous.”

Hato’s eyes grew wide and her eyes perked up. “Really?”

“Mhmm,” Miss Heartly assured. She patted the top of the girl’s head. “Now go out and play with the other children and don’t hurt them.”

“Okay,” Hato said with a big smile and she skipped back outside to join her classmates.

Whispering again. But this time she was not afraid. She was special and they were jealous. She just ignored them and minded her own business, chasing the butterflies in the field. She could feel their stares driving into the back of her head. But Hato didn’t care; she just went back to humming and following the pretty butterflies.

Miss Heartly soon came outside and told them all that it was time to come inside. Hato went inside and sat down at a desk. As the teacher walked by, she placed her hand on Hato’s shoulder again. “Well, Hato, I’m glad you’re here to join us.” The more Miss Heartly looked at her, the cuter she found Hato to be.

“Glad to be here,” Hato replied back.

The whole class gasped. “Relax, children,” Miss Heartly said. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet someone very special.” She beckoned for Hato to come to the front of the room.

She stood in front of the teacher’s desk again, facing the class this time. She was rocking back and forth on her toes with her hands behind her back excitedly. “Hi,” she gave a big smile. “I’m Hato Risu and… I like nuts!”

The other kids laughed. One of them blurted out, “Heh, where ya from, you freak?” The rest of the class snickered.

Miss Heartly spoke up, “Joey! We don’t talk that way! Go sit on the bench outside.” She pointed toward the door. One of the students sitting in one of the middle rows got up from his seat and walked out the door. “All right, Hato, you can go sit down now.”

After Hato sat down in her seat, Miss Heartly began her lesson. Hato, though she was listening, got bored and looked out the window. Something shiny caught her eye.

“Hato? Do you know the answer?”

Hato turned her head around. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Can you repeat the question?”

“What country were the king and queen from?” Miss Heartly asked.

Hato didn’t know the answer. “Uh, Israel?”

The class laughed. “That’s okay, Hato,” the teacher said with a reassuring smile. “Billy, what about you?”

The kid she’d addressed as Billy answered her, “Spain.”

“That’s correct, Billy.” She asked a few more questions. Then it was time for lunch.

Hato ran outside like everybody else. She ran around the building to see what that was that she’d seen out the window. Finally she saw something shiny in the grass. As she drew near it, she noticed it was a doll with a little silver locket around its neck. Suddenly Hato felt sad. Some little girl lost her doll. She hugged it close to her.

Then Hato remember she’d forgotten her lunch inside. She ran in the classroom to get it, bringing the doll with her.

She sat down all by herself on the swing, eating her lunch. She had a bag of nuts, some cookies, and a juice box with her. By the time Hato had almost finished her lunch, she saw someone on the play structure near her. It was the first time anyone had, outside the classroom, come anywhere close to her since she’d arrived. It was a little girl. She was climbing on the ladder when she slipped and fell.

Hato ran to see if the girl was all right. She helped her up and handed the girl her last cookie. The girl smiled in thanks.

Yes, a smile. It could mean so much to an outcast. Now, Hato didn’t feel so different anymore.

Author notes

This is a story about my inner child, Hato Risu.

P.S.

Options: 1.

A contest entry

Please tell me what you think

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Comments

1 - 14 of 14
  • abba12
    October 20, 2007

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    this is a cute little story. poor hato!! hehe, i used to get picked on constantly as well. im glad she found a friend . i think it ended a little abruptly, and im not really sure where the doll came in, but it was an interesting read. good work


  • GuitarShank Moderators member
    October 8, 2007

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    Ah, I remember reading a story about Hato before, she's a cute character.

    This was a very good story, the idea of an outcast trying to feel accepted was a very good choice for a story.

    Good writing, and good luck in the contest.


  • Elvenfairy
    September 25, 2007

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    lopl I like yoru inner child I had an imaginary friend who was a lot like you described, when I was little. I liked your story, thanks for entering my contest. Sorry it's taking me so long to judge


  • The Wall
    September 9, 2007

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    The last statment of the story about the smile is so true. I've moved several times in my life and I know what it feels like. Very imaginative indeed. Good job, and good luck in the contest.


  • aloominum
    September 3, 2007

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    That's a really cute story! I liked how you used reality and the childrens reactions to display Hato's feelings Loved it!


  • Rosemary silver member
    August 30, 2007
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    Nice story

    I liked your character and the message at the end of the story. Good luck with the contest.


  • I Dare to Dream
    August 11, 2007

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    Wow, how sweet and adorable. Even though it's cue, it carries wisdom, and I love those kind of stories. It's not bad being different, it's what makes us special. Amazing story, well written. Good luck in the contest!


  • Greeneyes15
    August 11, 2007

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    I really liked this story. it was sweet and cute. It's just...i really don't know how to explain it, but it was really beautfil i guess. I really liked how Hato wasn't really affected by how others were treating her. She was all like, 'i'm different, i know. that makes me special and everyone else just wishes they could be as special as me.' that was really awesome of her. I aslo liked the end. It's good to be different, but it also feels good to belong. but ya, good writing! thanks for entering the contest and good luck!!

    --Greeneyes


  • Kari gold member
    July 20, 2007

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    Aw, this is so cute I loved it. Yes new school adventures are for little children. Well done!

    - BrokenWingsFly -


  • IMqueen
    July 9, 2007

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    how cute! this story makes me feel all fuzzy and warm inside. The ending was very beautiful and you really captured the child-ness in Hato.

    WOW! love it

    Luv, IMqueen


  • NewGuy90
    July 3, 2007

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    AWWWWWW!

    That is such a cute story! I was wondering what Hato actually was? Doesn’t really matter, even though she was so different she was totally adorable to me! The story is well written, especially the dialogue. My favourite part, or sentence rather, was “Yes, a smile. It could mean so much to an outcast.” That was beautiful to me. Thanks for the read, I really enjoyed it. This is definitely going onto my favourites link!

    ♥NewGuy90


  • Isabella Swan
    July 3, 2007

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    Oh this is soooo cute!!!

    Well done on this. There's really quite a good moral to this story. I liked the teacher even though she got boring to Hato. Your inner child is really cute!!! Well done!!!!


  • WillowKitsune
    July 1, 2007

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    Hato!!! This is such a good story! I made an accoutn JUST so I could comment on it! Good job, Hato-onee-chan!
    i <3 u!
    ~Willow

    beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.


  • Siby Anan
    June 29, 2007

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    =O That is so beautiful!! I love the ending especially! The last three sentences are just so...meaningful *eyes twinkle*

    I love it! Good job Lizzy! [o___O I do not know why I just said that...]

1 - 14 of 14