A Safe Place
"I am Ann's childhood toy, a round block. I am part of the building blocks family, and I enjoy being with everyone. I remember the first time I met everyone, they even praised me for being pretty! They said I was so smooth, with no rough edges, and perfectly symmetrical. However, sometimes I'd echo the sentiments of the cylindrical block, but most of the time, I just kept quiet…"
This is a story about a sense of belonging, self-identity, and interpersonal relationships among peers. "Where do I belong? If my disguise and lack of self bring their affection, am I willing to continue wearing this mask? Silence or rebellion, Which one should I choose?" These are the questions that the round block keeps asking itself.
Author / Illustrator: Shin-Dii
I am Ann's childhood toy, a round block.
.
I am part of the building blocks family, and I enjoy being with everyone. Ann used to play with us every day when she was a child, that time was really happy!
I remember the first time I met everyone, they even praised me for being pretty! They said I was so smooth, with no rough edges, and perfectly symmetrical.
With him, I never felt left out.
.
Sometimes, I'd echo the sentiments of the cylindrical block, but most of the time, I just kept quiet.
I remember the cylindrical block saying, "Blocks are meant to be stacked."
Do I really hate him? If I do, should I express my hatred? And if I do, should I do it that way? What would be the purpose of speaking out? In truth, I didn't want to say it that way. I feel like I don't genuinely hate him. But I have to go along with them because they're my friends. What is a friend? A friend... should be someone who covers for me. Without them, I don't know who I am, I'm nobody. I don't know how to behave. I just want to be happy! I want to be acknowledged. I hope my friends acknowledge me. But... do they understand the real me? After they understand, would they still want to be my friends? I said things I shouldn't have. I don't feel happy now. What should I do? Can I remain silent? Can I smile? Can I pretend it never happened? Maybe I can never smile again. But I know, tomorrow morning, I will still force a pretty smile. So... can I disappear?
.
That day, I accidentally rolled into the gap between the star-shaped block's protrusions. We huddled together, and remained silent for a very long time.