Lala sat quietly in front of the mirror, her little hands resting on her cheeks. She could hardly recognize the reflection staring back at her. Just a few weeks ago, her face had been full of brightness and confidence. But after an accident that left her with scars, she felt like she had lost all of that beauty.
She touched the marks gently, her heart heavy with sadness. “I’m ugly now,” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks. For days, she avoided playing outside. She didn’t want her friends to see her. She imagined them pointing, laughing, or whispering behind her back. The thought made her curl deeper into her blanket, feeling sorry for herself.
Her father noticed the change. One evening, he sat beside her and asked softly, “Lala, why are you hiding your beautiful smile?” She didn’t answer, only lowered her head. He lifted her chin carefully and said, “Scars don’t make you ugly. They are proof that you are strong—that you survived.”
Her mother joined in, holding Lala’s hands. “Beauty isn’t just about a perfect face. It’s about kindness, courage, and the way you make people feel. And you, Lala, make everyone around you feel loved.”
Still, Lala struggled. The next day, her best friend came to visit. At first, Lala tried to hide, but her friend only hugged her tightly. “I missed you! You’re still the same Lala I love. Don’t ever think you’re ugly.”
Slowly, warmth spread through her heart. She realized the people who truly loved her never cared about scars. They saw her, not the marks. That evening, Lala looked in the mirror again. Her face wasn’t what it once was, but her eyes still sparkled, and her smile—though hesitant—began to return.
Lala promised herself she would no longer let sadness steal her joy. Her scars told a story of survival, and she was ready to live proudly, with her head held high.
