Fables: Big Ears

Once upon a time at Skybreak Elementary School there was a student who was always judging people. Yes everybody it was me, Discrimination Jones. I was in 6th grade and had a lot of great friends.

One day back then, during class, Mrs. Harrison, our secretary, came in with a boy who had very large ears and big glasses.

"Students," she said "you have a new student joining your class. Everybody say hi to Elmo Bigbear."

"Hi Elmo." we all said. Man what kind of name is that? Elmo Bigbear? It should be Elmo Bigears, look at the size of those ears! I bet with his ears, he is a really weird kid, I thought to myself snickering.

"Welcome Elmo, it's nice to have you in our class." Mrs. Ranch said. The bell rang for recess. Outside my friends and I were making fun of Elmo.

"Look at him, with his big ears and big glasses" my friend told me.

"I bet he is a nerd and very strange." I commented.

The following week I was so happy that we had basketball tryouts and I know I'm going to make it. When I got there I saw that Elmo was also trying out. I started to laugh and walked over to my friends.

"Hey guys look who's trying out" I said "bet he sucks and can't get a single basket."

"He probably falls over when running because his ears are too big."

Then Elmo started to walk towards us. "Oh no, here comes big ears." I laughed.

"Hey guys" he said "Just for your information my ears don't make me fall down. I am a great player and I'm going to show you that."

"Wait how did you know what we said?" I asked. He pointed to his ears. The coach blew the whistle and we started warm ups. After warm ups we had a game. Coach made me guard Elmo. Some one passed him the ball, so I was on him right away but was nice and gave him some space. ZOOM! He went right past me like a cheetah. My friends laughed at me. "Come on Discrimination, can't you block a single big eared boy?" I got mad. Elmo had the ball again; I went right after him and this time I was not going to be nice. Then suddenly I got tripped. RIP! Laughter filled the gym. "Nice underwear Discrimination." I quickly got up and was totally humiliated.

"Everybody Stop!" Someone yelled. We turned and all looked to see it was Elmo. "Who cares if he ripped his pants, lots of people do it. Stop making fun of him". Elmo ran over to the bench and grabbed his jacket and gave it to me to tie around my waist while we finished the practice. Did he just stand up for me? I asked myself. Practice was over and everybody was leaving.

"Hey Elmo" I said. "Can I talk with you?" he walked over to me.

"Yeah?"

"Why did you stick up for me?"

"Because I know what it feels like to be laughed at and made fun of. It hurts, I wanted it to stop." He answered.

"Well thanks" I said and walked away. Man he is a pretty nice guy. I thought.

The next day the team was posted and I made it! I looked down the list and saw that Elmo had made it as well.

We had our first game and we won! At the end of the game we celebrated and went out for dinner. We were all about to leave for home when Elmo came up to me and asked if I could drive him home because his parents had to leave early. I was just about to answer when my mom replied "sure".

In the car it was silent for a little while. Once we got talking and I found out that Elmo was a really cool person. He is in to all the same things as me and his favourite basket-ball team is also the Celtics. I realized at that point that I judged Elmo too quickly. From that point on Elmo and I became the greatest of friends.