Custodio: The eraser thief

Custodio: The eraser thief

I WOULD like to think I have never been bullied as a child. But yeah I have had my share of people who teased me and called me names. I guess that’s how it is when you’re a fat kid, people think they have the right to put you down and embarrass you. Duh.

Quite honestly I was never really hurt by it. Growing up I have had jeepney and tricycle drivers who refused to let me ride. Those who do often take cheap shots at me, making comments like “double bayad” and chuckling, for everyone to hear. Was I embarrassed? Yes, but I am more disappointed in the fact that people would go to such lengths just to tease someone. Anyway, I survived it, although a bit scathed but having a fuller understanding of how anyone can actually control how they see life.

When I was in third grade, our class was visited by girls from the fifth grade to guide us through our schoolwork during homeroom. It was nice to have big sisters in our midst, knowing they would help us understand our lessons better. A group was assigned to our table and one of them took interest in my new set of erasers. She was nice and friendly, engaging us and amusing us with her stories. Towards the end of the period, she asked if she could see them. I obliged and handed it to her. However, she refused to return it, even when her friends pleaded her to do so. Needless to say, I never got it back.

Was I sad? Of course I was! The erasers were a gift and I had only gotten them that morning. But what made things worse was the realization that an “older person” would take advantage of someone younger. I had carried this lesson all my life, increasingly disgruntled by her action as I grew older. It’s such a disappointment to me really but I guess life is like that.

In a way I am thankful that it happened to me too, as this experience has taught me to never treat anyone the way she treated me. The sense of helplessness and despair can be quite baffling to a child and I wouldn’t want anyone to feel that way. It has also taught me to learn to be mindful of how I affect others with my actions. It is okay to keep running towards your goals in life but remember too, that there are paths where you should thread lightly.

To that girl, I still think about her now and then. I shake my head sometimes, but I have to say I thank her for teaching me to be a better person, better than how she was that day. There will always be people out to disappoint. It is entirely up to us to turn it around to make us feel better and be better. Happy Sunday Everyone!! :)

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