The Little Red-Haired Girl Cries: A Story of Forgiveness
Posted: Sunday, April 19, 2009
by Steve Radford
The lights are out. The house is quiet. Mom and Dad are asleep. And the little red-haired girl cries.
Another school year is almost over. Another year of teasing? No, teasing is something friends do to each other. Torment. Yes this has been one more year of torment. Why do they call her retarded? She's as smart as anyone in her class. The "squirrel" nickname, while cruel, at least makes sense. She has crooked teeth that are being straightened by braces.
But there is something else happening to this girl. You don't hold a girl's head under the water fountain to get her attention. None of the taunting is intended as playful foolery or flirting. Its purpose is to hurt and it is working as the little red-haired girl cries.
Most people go through awkward stages. Their feet seem too big or their body appears to be all elbows and knees. But they grow out of it. And so will the little red haired girl. The braces will come off, the muscles will take shape and the target of torment will become the object of someone's affection. But that's impossible to imagine tonight. Tonight the little red-haired girl just cries.
Not too long ago, the little girl's mother detected a problem. The story of torment came out. How it must have hurt the mom to hear what her little girl is enduring. She goes to the school to see if they can help. A few of the kids see this as a new weapon of torment. Now they can say insulting things about the little girl's mother.
But as the little red haired girl cries, she cries out to God. God why do they pick on me? How should I react? What can I do or say to make them stop? The tears and questions eventually give way to sleep. When she wakes, she has the answer! She knows what she has to do. It won't be easy. The boy that leads the bully brigade is twice her size and seems to get more belligerent when she tries to defend herself. But she prayed for God to help and this seems to be the reply.
She hurries off to school with nervous anticipation. What will he do? Will he knock her books out of her hands again? Will he come up with some new nickname or put down? She wouldn't have to wait long to find out.
As she closes her locker and heads for her first class she hears a loud familiar taunt. "Retarded squirrel!" She stops walking, closes her eyes and winces as if she is about to get a shot. Then she prays silently. "I hear your retarded mom came up here yesterday and she looks just like you! It just proves that ugly is hereditary." His friends laugh in a way that says they are glad he has someone besides them to bully.
Without a word, she reaches into her book bag and pulls out a note she has written that morning. As her skinny frame shakes noticeably, she hands her tormentor the note. He hurls one parting shot as she turns and walks into class, "What's this, retard? A note from your mommy?"
He opens the note to see only three words. "I forgive you." Just inside the classroom, there is an inexplicable sense of peace and freedom. And the little red-haired girl, for the first time in a very long time, smiles.
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)Steve, so lovely to read your articles again. They are filled with grand assurance of the love of God. This Story of Forgiveness is no exception. I was fixed on each word and caught up into this story with each paragraph. It could have been poetry but the message is clear. We must be transmitters of Love, no matter what we endure in His name.
I've missed your contributions. Praying all is well. Thank you for a lovely story!Avis,I'm always encouraged by your articles and comments. Thanks. Steve
Funny, I was on this site looking for an old piece of mine and stopped with the title of your article - Bravo, Mr. Steve - what a sensitive, wonderful piece!! I am sure everyone will agree how you bring the reader right into the world of that little red-head girl - this is utterly inspiring! Thank you, Steve and hoping all is well with you!Thanks for taking that detour to read this story Judi. I appreciate the nice comments. Steve
I wouldn't have anticipated this end to this type of a story. Very well done!Thanks for the comment Grammy. The story is based on a real girl and an actual situation but it's still going on. So the ending is a projection. I hope the real story has a happy ending.Steve, I hope the school is doing appropriate, continual interventions for this little girl.In certain states there are juvenile laws (yes, this even applies to grade school age kids) with regards to bullying. If the little girl lives in such a state, the state attorney can be contacted with regards to this type of offense. Of course, he/she would have to decide if this warrants a petition being filed against the bully. In these states, kids that bully can be charged with a juvenile criminal offense and made to undergo counseling and many other types of interventions to put a stop to this atrocious behavior, or be removed from the school and placed in an alternative school for kids with behavioral issues, if the bullying continues. I pray this stops as this child deserves to live in peace. Taxpayers, who are sick of bullying, have begun to insist their public schools do more to end this despicable behavior.
Bravo to the little red haired girl and bravo to you for writing the story.Thank you for a great story of someone with such great character.
Thanks for a wonderful story Steve.
I was once that 'little red haired girl'. The only difference was that my hair was brown and my nickname was Mouse. Teasing and tormenting effects children in different ways--some are made stronger while others become introverts. The bully has to grow up and live with the thngs he has done. I think I had much rather be the 'little red haired girl'. Beautiful story, Steve.SandraSandra,I'm sorry you had to endure that as a kid. No child should have to go through that sort of thing. But I'm glad God can redeem the worst of situations and bring something or someone wonderful out of them. Like you for instance. Steve
This was so refreshing. No "beating up the bully" or insulting him back to make him feel bad. The bully probably has had a horrendous life and deals with things no one else can imagine. Her forgiveness makes her such a beautiful person. I hope I can teach my children to respond like this when, and if, this ever affects them.
hi steve,beautiful story of many emotions. also proof that "ask, and ye shall receive." sometimes, i'm not sure i want to hear the answer i'm provided, other times i'm sure i don't!, and yet, if i heed the words, and do the appropriate actions, all goes well.thanks for sharing this with us,my best regards,sue thom
I was (and still is) a red haired girl. Though it took longer for me to work out the right way to react to this type of bullying. A touching story. :-)
Steve,I loved this article. I could just see how the Little Red-Haired Girl smiled and God answered her prayers.God Bless You.Barbara
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