Polly

Polly is a story about a beautiful squirrel, whose features are so distinct and unusual that it brings about jealousy that makes her an outcast snubbed by her peers.  This story identifies characteristics of low self-esteem, courage, selflessness, bravery, forgiveness and friendship. Polly spent most days sitting along sadly looking at her reflection in the mirror.  Countless lonely hours were spent trying to figure out why all the squirrels in the forest refused to accept her.  In the mirror she saw long curly eye lashes with huge blue eyes.  Her fur was soft and silky with unusual highlights.  It varied in color depending on how the sun beamed on it.  The fur underneath her belly was as white as snow.  Her tail was long, full and bushy.  As she continued to observe her reflection in the mirror she became painfully aware of the striking differences between her and all the other squirrels.  Just like all the other squirrels in the forest her mother had the same small black eyes, dull gray fur and semi short less bushy tail.  Even her mother was baffled by her unusual features. Polly’s plight will illustrate to you how children today will take any characteristic or any physical aspect and find fault to make fun, taunt, tease and sometimes brutally attack you.   This can be the cause of low self- esteem, fearfulness, and sadness all because someone dislikes you because you are different. I remember growing up in a community where my peers taunted me about the tone of my skin.  Un-fortunately rejection, snubbing, teasing and taunting still exists in the form of bullying and it’s even more prevalent today. As you read Polly’s story you will see how one little squirrel gained the respect and friendship from her peers thru her selflessness, bravery and courage.  Her peers will learn a valuable lesson in pre-judging as it pertains to someone because of their nationality, physical appearance, race or ethnicity.