The day began with the morning alarm and a sense of nervousness in Andy’s heart. It’s her first day at her new school, but she couldn’t help being anxious about her new surroundings.

“Why are you like this Andy? Stop fidgeting now. It doesn’t look good.”

Andy’s mother told her as the car stopped at the school’s front entrance. Swallowing the gulp, Andy stared at the entrance, rubbing her shoes against each other.

She is a 9-year-old girl with shoulder-length hair and a height less than that of her age. But that is not what matters to her previous school friends and her family.

“Come on Andy, let’s go.”

Her mother said with a subtle voice, sensing her nervousness and handing her the crutches. Taking the crutches, Andy opened the door, adjusted her school bag strap on her shoulder and got down the car.

Kids were rushing inside laughing, talking, some with their parents while others with their friends. Most of them didn’t notice her and the ones who did look at her strangely.

“Mom… … .can we come tomorrow? I don’t feel good today… ..”

Saying this Andy turned towards the car to open the door, but her mother tapped her shoulder, smiled and gestured to her to be strong. Looking at her, Andy felt bad to let her down by not trying to step forward.

She took a deep breath and moved forward, inside the entrance and then to her classroom. She did not lift her head up the entire time because she wanted to avoid everyone looking at her.

After her mother left, she sat on her desk silently looking at her book.

“Hey… .my name’s Sarah, what’s your name?”

Andy was startled with Sarah approaching her suddenly, but she slowly replied, “Andy.”

“What are you reading when the teacher isn’t even here?”

Sarah asked, munching chips and looking at Andy’s book.

Andy lifted her gaze from the book and looked at Sarah. She is a chubby girl with a smile on her face and no pity or disgust in her eyes. Andy’s nervousness started to settle, and she replied, “I was just looking through chapters. I am new and have no idea what we are doing.”

But before Sarah could say the teacher entered and Sarah rushed to her seat which was four desks from Andy’s towards the back.

She looked at her sitting on her chair and smiling at her.

Class greeted her, and she called Andy to introduce herself to the class. This was nothing less than a nightmare for Andy.

She stood up holding her crutches, her palms wet with sweat, though it’s the rainy season and the atmosphere is pleasant with a cool breeze.

“You can speak from your seat dear.”

Teacher said with a warm smile, that calmed her a little, and Andy then introduced herself to the class with a shaky voice.

“Hello everyone, my name’s Andy, and I am a transfer student. I joined today and thank you… .. “

This was all she could manage to say. The day went by class after class, and she was trying to catch up with what was being taught. During recess while she was wondering when the school will end, Sarah kept her lunch box on her table, bam… !!, which startled Andy.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you but why aren’t you eating?”

She asked, sliding the chair from the front desk facing towards Andy and sitting on it.

“I am not hungry”, Andy replied, faking a smile.

“This is the reason you look like a straw…”

Andy smiled at this, and this time genuinely.

“See Andy, do not be nervous. You can call me if you want help with studies.”

Sarah said, giving a sandwich to Andy. She hesitated but Sarah gave it forcibly.

Andy is waiting for the question that everyone asks her as they approach her to talk. But to her surprise Sarah did not look at her crutches even once but instead kept on telling her about their classmates, best and worst teacher, funny incidents, and much more. At least all that she could possibly tell during recess.

Andy assumed, “Maybe she didn’t notice my crutches and considered me like her. Otherwise, why would she approach a new girl like me?”

Saying this to herself she looked at her watch hoping the day would be over soon.

Finally, the bell rang and everyone rushed out of the class, but Andy waited for everyone to leave. She then slowly lifted from her chair, held her crutches and moved towards the door. As she was about to leave Sarah came beside her, and asked, “Is someone coming to pick you up?”

Andy again shook at her sudden words, and looked at her in surprise. “What? Why are you so jumpy Andy? This time I came silently then you are shocked… “

“Where did you come from? I thought everyone left… “

Andy said, slowly walking towards the door along with her.

“How could you even know when you hardly look around, girl.” Sarah said, shaking her head in disappointment.

They walked down the lobby towards the main entrance, “You didn’t tell me you were going alone?”

Sarah stopped and asked again.

Andy looked at her because she can’t figure out why Sarah is so curious even after looking at her walking with crutches. She noticed nothing but care just like her mom did.

“Why are you so worried about me? We just met today?”, Andy said coldly.

Sarah looked at her and said with a plane face, “Because I am worried you might fall down and get hurt. Or worse, someone might run into you because you are always looking down, so how could you see who is coming towards you? “

Andy looked at her in surprise and couldn’t help laughing at her answer.

“I am used to walking with crutches and hardly stumble. Don’t worry and go home.”

“I am not asking you to tell me what to do. You tell me who is going to pick you up?”

” I am here to pick her up. Is there a problem dear?” Andy’s mother said, keeping her hand on Sarah’s shoulder.

She turned, “I am her mother, don’t look at me suspiciously, kid.”

Andy’s mother said, smiling at Sarah’s expression. She smiled and greeted her sweetly as if she knew her since ages.

“Okay Mrs. Smith, glad to see you here. I am Sarah, her classmate.”

She smiled widely as if she was proud of something and Mrs. Smith caressed her head.

Andy sat in the car and Sarah looked at her from the entrance waving goodbye. Andy responded, and the car moved ahead.

“I am surprised you made a friend on your first day of school. I am proud of you.” Andy’s mother patted her back.

“I didn’t, she did.”

Saying this, Andy smiled, recalling all the things Sarah told her about during the day.

“Well, that is even better, my dear. Now you see what I told you. Just be yourself and let others figure out whatever they are thinking.”

“She didn’t even ask about my crutches or the reason why I am using them.”

Andy said curiously.

“It’s because your appearance doesn’t bother her but your presence did. This is the reason she was nagging at you to tell who is going to pick you up.”

“But why is she so clingy? I didn’t ask her to care for me.”

“Yes you didn’t, no one did. But when good people cross your path, value them. Not everyone is going to judge you, my child. There are people out there, for whom we matter, not our crutches or scars.”

Holding her hand in hers, Mrs. Smith said, “My dear Andy, God sends right and wrong people in our lives. We cross paths with them at the right time. Both are necessary for us to grow and learn from the experiences we have with them. Your friends from previous school were good, and I appreciate you valuing them. At the same time value your new fellow classmates like Sarah. Such people are rare and precious.”

Listening to her mother’s words, Andy felt a sense of relief and assurance that Sarah is good. She eagerly awaits tomorrow to meet her again.

“How can you be so sure Mum?”

Mrs. Smith smiled and said, “Because I am your Mom….!”

To this they both giggled and went home.

People with disabilities are very cautious about their appearance unless they accept it. When they are young, they want others to treat them equally and do not point out their deformities, scars, crutches, etc. When someone does so they feel alienated and cornered because not everyone is ready and comfortable to talk about their disability. We should be cautious of how we approach such people and what we say to them.

Obviously, none of us wants to hurt their feelings but sometimes words and body language can be hurtful too. So, be natural and do not make them feel lowly in any sense. They will open up slowly, and gradually you will realize that they are the best of the people. You can rely on them and trust them. So, keep everyone around you happy and never hurt anyone because we never know what they have been through.