Orange Dinosaur

 

I had this story I wanted to share with you. It’s an old story, worn and comfortable, like a favorite pair of jeans. It’s about when I got in trouble in first grade for coloring a picture of a dinosaur orange instead of brown. When I tell the story, I’m the hero. I’m special for being the only child to not color the dinosaur brown and misunderstood by the teacher who wanted me to be the same as everyone else.

I’ve tried to type up this story for you several times, but I never like what I have written. I now realize why. The story is a steaming pile of dino poop.

The story is based in fact, but the part about being special and misunderstood, that’s my own personal spin. There are many reasons why we lie to ourselves.  Sometimes we don’t want to face an uncomfortable truth and sometimes we want to see ourselves in a better light. Whatever my reasons for telling it to myself, it’s time to retire the story of the orange dinosaur. I don’t need it anymore.  

Comments

[Tammy]

I love the line about the comfortable jeans, what a wonderful description. There are so many reasons we lie to ourselves. It takes a strong person to face those lies and turn them around and make them work for you. But don't dismiss being special and don't retire your story. It's amazing that you realized at a young age you could think for yourself, that everything doesn't have to be just so..and I'm sure you're pass that on.

One more thing...you are a hero and inspiration to me.

[Nancy]

I would say the rest of your class was crushed by the educational system which wants us all to think alike, be politically correct, and meld into the same mold. Hurray for a creative spirit that refuses to be crushed by the world surrounding it - a spirit that remains alive and awake rather than dissolving into the masses.