Differently Abled Daphne
By Sheetal Nair
In the beautiful tropical forest of Amazon, where thousands of different kinds of plants grow and equally different kinds of animals live, there once lived a family of four elephants. Daddy elephant Ben, mamma elephant Anna, and two baby elephants Cameo and little Daphne. Cameo was a rambunctious little fellow, Daphne was as calm as an angel. Cameo would always be surrounded by friends and they would go out in groups and do fun things together, while Daphne preferred solitude. Cameo had a ton of toys and yet he was always looking for new stuff and all Daphne wanted to play with is empty cocunut shells. When Cameo would hear music loud Daphne would cover her ears.
Ben, Anna asked one day, do you think Daphne is scared of something?
Like what? Ben asked.
Like when the other elephants are trumpeting, she runs away and hides like she saw a ghost.
Hmm! Ben exclaimed.
Maybe I will take her to a game with me, all the noise on the field should help her get over it he added.
Next day Ben announced to his children,
kids we are going to see the football match, this sunday.
Yay!! Cameo shouted with delight.
Daphne on the other hand continued playing with her shells, which she had collected from all over.
Anna went over to her and asked her sweetly, Aren't you excited to see the game?
Daphne looked at her mother and echoed "game" with a smile.
See, Ben said she is happy. She is my shy little lady unlike this big rowdy boy. That is the difference between a girl and a boy.
Cameo could not contain his happiness, the next day he told all his friends at school. Guess what I am going to the football game this sunday.
Can I come please? his cousin Emily begged.
I don't know you have to ask your parents to ask my parents, replied Cameo.
That evening Aunty Franny came over to Ben's house and requested, Hey Ben do you think you could take Emily with you? She is been driving me nuts with this game thing.
Sure! said Ben, "the more the merrier".
After Franny left Ben went over to Anna and expressed, it's interesting how our niece Emily seemed quite excited, unlike Daphne, and i always thought game is more of a boy thing.
Anna had a look of consternation , as though something was not ok but she quickly brushed her thoughts away.
Finally it was the game day. Cameo was very excited, he had a lot of things to take care of the camera, snacks and drinks, Daphne remained uninvolved.
Ben took his children along with their niece to the game quite confidentally. Little did he know that he was in for a big surprise.
Before the game there was a performance by the cheerleaders. Everybody watched the dance with excitement but Daphne was content with her coconut shell. As the game started she started fidgeting and when the game had acquired a certain tempo, she shrieked louder than Ben could ever imagine.
Are you ok my dear? he asked but the shrieking continued.
Daphne cried relentlessly . The other elephants turned and looked at them. Some were concerned, others impatient, while some went ahead and commented, "If you don't know how to keep your children calm , you should not bring them to the game.
It was a total disaster.
Ben, Cameo, and Emily all together tried to console Daphne, but she continued her crying till they were far away from the game. Soon she was all smiles, but Cameo was not happy.
How could you do this Daphne? If you did not want to see the game you should have stayed home.
"Home" echoed Daphne.
Yes honey we are going home responded Ben, with a worried look.
Back home Emily narrated the whole thing to her mother Franny and soon enough everyone around knew about Daphne and her odd ways.
Oh Daphne never plays with anyone.
Daphne cries a lot, she is a cry baby.
Folks came with a lot of advice, some used kind words while others chose to be harsh.
Anna couldn't sit on this matter any longer, she decided to take Daphne to the wise owl, who always had words of wisdom and remedy for many problems.
Hmm! exclaimed the owl after hearing everything that Anna had to say. He then called Daphne but she remained in her own little world. He tried to give her some toys but Daphne wanted to play with her coconut shell.
Does Daphne spin around or act weird at times?
Oh you mean does she do her "top dance".
What is a top dance? asked the owl.
It is Daphne's favorite dance every now and then, some days more than others; little Daphne decides to spin like a top and so we named it her top dance.
How does Daphne react to crowds and noisy situations? asked the owl now with a concerned look.
Oh! well that is the main reason I am here, she freaks out in noisy crowded places and calms down within seconds when removed from such places.
She doesn't require comforting, it is just like a tap of water was turned off.
Oh my! exclaimed the owl covering his face with his wings.
What is it? asked a much worried Anna.
Our Daphne has something called as "Autism".
What is that?Is it contagious ? Do I need to keep Cameo away from her? inquired Anna.
Oh no no far from it, you have to encourage Cameo to engage Daphne as much as possible said the owl.
Now listen dear said the owl gently. You have to understand Daphne's brain is wired differently, so she will learn differently.
You will have to think creatively to come upon a way by which she learns the most.
Is it dangerous to her health? asked a now sobbing Anna.
No my dear, said the kind owl. She is healthy, sweet girl "differently abled". She will need your patience and nurturing love, and sooner or later she will blossom into the person she was meant to be.
With those kind words Anna left the owl.
At home her entire family and some friends were waiting to know what the wise owl had to say.
Anna requested her friends to wait while she took Ben aside and disclosed the truth about Daphne.
Anna was now teary eyed but inside her was a strength that kept her going.
Ben heard everything Anna had to say and with his practical ways inquired so what now?
Lot of love, patience and courage replied a confident Anna and led him outside.
They came out and annouced to everyone.
There was a little whispering amongst the elephants. The murmurs slowly faded and then a wonderful thing happened.
Cameo went over to Daphne and said "Daphne you are my unique sister, different from all".
At this Emily went over to Daphne and with a hug said even if you are different, we love you just the same.
And there and then Anna and Ben knew with help, patience and a lot of support from their community Daphne will be just fine.
Moral:
Being different is okay as long as everyone is willing to accept and celebrate the differences amongst us. After all it would be quite a boring world if everyone was the same.
