A.N. — Middle children have the hardest lot in life, or so I'm told. This particular example is aware of his situation but chooses to see the glass half full rather than half empty. I've got the opposite mentality of what I've depicted here, so I hope the optimism rings true.

321. Roro Soul

Roro liked being self-sufficient, though he gave no thought as to the circumstances that had allowed him to develop the skills necessary for it. Cooking for Lala and Rody, participating in the latter's morning routine with him, made him feel more grown-up and less of a burden on his already-overworked older brother.

Every time he saw Rody get riled up about their father being gone, Roro amped up his sunny disposition. He knew the value of his cuteness and when best to deploy it — not for begging for toys or sweets, but to make his family smile.