Fiona Breaks the Blue

Fbiorenaaktsheblue!

by Tale Weavers

Weaving tales,
breaking stereotypes

TALE Tale Weavers is an initiative that aims
to engage with children and the youth
weavers through stories that challenge stereotypes
and break the barriers in creating a just
weaving tales, breaking stereotypes society.
​
We welcome you to our world of stories
where simple conversations, colorful
illustrations, and powerful characters
help break the stereotypes and create an
inclusive learning space which is free
of bias - be it gender, religion, race,
nationality or ethnicity.

This story is part of Tale Weaver’s Anti-
Bullying series that aims at creating a
safe and iclusive learning space.

Fbiorenaaktsheblue!

Story: Gita Jayakumar Illustrations: Diana Castillo

Edited by: Kirthi Jayakumar

“Little Fiona

was excited! She
was going to a
new school today.
Her father had
been transferred to
Bangalore, and she
got admission into a
new school.
“Amma, look at
me in the new
uniform!” said
Fiona, excited about
the new colours she
was decked in.
Soon, Fiona reached school, and her parents took her to
her classroom after meeting the principal.

As Fiona

entered the
classroom, she
found a seat
empty near a
rather quiet girl,
and made her way
towards it.
Fiona smiled broadly,
but the quiet girl
looked down, and
stayed that way.



Fiona noticed that the others had begun teasing the

quiet girl.
“Hey Neela (It means blue in Hindi)! Don’t make the
new girl feel blue!” said one.
“Why are you always glum, Neela? Is it because you
are blue?” said another.
Soon, Fiona sat down, looking at her new classmates in
wonder, at why they were poking fun at poor Neela.
The teacher had told them to settle down, so all the kids
paid attention in class.

Over the next few days, Fiona tried to make friends

with Neela, but Neela was always quiet and refused to
respond. She noticed that Neela was hunched over and
had a sad expression on her face.
The other kids tried to tell Fiona to stop wasting time,
but Fiona was not one to do that!
Soon, it was sports day, and all the children were being
picked into teams by the class captain. Poor Neela alone
was left behind.
Fiona did not like that, and decided that no one could
have her on the team if Neela was not in the same team
as her! The other children slowly gave in, and little
Fiona and Neela found themselves on some team or the
other.





One day, after a long practice run in the sun, the

children sat down to eat lunch. Fiona took her snack
box and went to sit with Neela - because for the first
time, Neela too had sat down for lunch! On other days,
she would wander away all alone.
“Hi Neela!” said Fiona, brightly.
“Hi Fiona!” Neela said, quietly.
“Come, let’s eat. My mother gave me sandwiches, some
cake and a bottle of orange juice. Let’s share!” said
Fiona.
Neela’s eyes widened as she saw all that Fiona had to
offer. She opened her box to find some chappatis and
potato curry and shared it with Fiona.

The two girls tucked in to their exchanged lunches,

when Fiona asked, “Neela, why are you always quiet?
Is something worrying you?”
“Well, Fiona, no one likes me...”
“That’s not true! I like you!”
“Yes, but the other kids keep making fun of me and my
name! I became sad in class because they did that! And
now, everyone thinks I’m good for nothing, even the
teachers!”
“Ah, I’m sorry they did that! But, Neela, by giving in
to them, you are letting them win without letting your
beautiful personality to shine! You have such a fun
side to you, Neela, don’t you think we had a good time
together, joking, laughing and talking, so far?”

“Yes, but...

“No Neela! Come on! You are not to be kept inside
glumness! You have such brightness. Just because the
kids call you blue or make fun of your name, doesn’t
mean you have to be blue!
How about if you showed them how much fun you can
be? Then we’ll see who makes fun of you! Let’s show
them your true awesome self!”
Neela reluctantly agreed. With Fiona’s help, Neela
began to open up and participate with others.



With time, the others began to accept and welcome

Neela into their fold - and soon, all of them became the
best of friends.
A couple of weeks later, Neela told Fiona, “Thank you,
Fiona, it’s only because of you that I have friends now!”
“No, Neela, that’s not true. You have friends because
you are amazing. Don’t let anyone dim your shine - if
you are your true self and be that way, nothing in the
world can stop you!”

The End

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