L – Lesson Learned

My Theme this April is “My Muse Says…”

The Story Spark was Tell the Story.

The Writing prompt was picture-driven.

Here are the pictures that I chose:

The following is what my muse told me to write:

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L – Lesson Learned 

The game was set. That meant that we all had to be quiet. Everyone had to go to one of three stations. At that station, they had to do a Truth or Dare that was listed on a piece of paper. 

She hated playing this game. She wanted to do something else.

“Go hide in your tent!” her older sister said. “That way we don’t have to look at your grumpy face.”

“I’m not grumpy.” She just was not ready to play games with others. She didn’t like it when they laughed at her every time she made a mistake or didn’t understand a rule. 

But her mom said that she had to play. Her mom thought it was good for her. “You have to learn to work and play with others.”

“Why?” was the response she gave. “Can’t I just be me? Why do I have to be like everyone else?”

“Because that is the way it is in this world.”

So there she sat in her make-believe tent. Looking down at her lap. She dreamed of being older, free from all these rules and forced interactions. She saw herself in a field of flowers, arms spread wide, hat in hand, and screaming as loud as she could, “I AM ME. I CAN BE ANYONE I WANT TO BE. NO ONE HAS TO WATCH OVER ME AND TELL ME WHO I’M SUPPOSED TO BE. I AM FREE!”

“One station had been completed by the others. It’s time to move to your next station,” her sister called. 

This time, she stared at the side of her tent. She saw herself in a great castle. She was wearing a crown on her head. Looking over the castle wall, she could see the people below her. They bowed when they saw her. She was respected and admired. She felt good. 

“Last station,” her sister said.

This time, she closed her eyes and listened to the silence. It was a warm, comforting silence. It gave her time to think for herself. Who she was, and who she wanted to be. 

The game ended, and everyone left the room except for her. Her mother, who had not been in the room at all, came over to her and asked how she did, and if she had learned anything.

She responded, “It was great. I’m glad I was here to play. I learned so much about myself and how to be. I don’t think I need to do that game again. I’m sure I’ve learned all I can from it.

Her mother smiled at her and said, “I told you so.”

She thought to herself, and I told you what you wanted to hear. I hope that was enough.