Oh, she was an ugly little girl. She was probably six-years-old and very ugly. There was nothing wrong with her hair and nothing wrong with her eyes and cheeks. Her nose was a nice normal nose. But she was an ugly little girl because of her mouth. We were in an ice cream store when she came in with her grandfather. He bought her a nice cup of chocolate ice cream with whipped cream and cherries. As he handed it to her she decided she wanted sprinkles. But it was already paid for and he tried to explain. Oh, dear. I’m so glad you were not there to have to witness what happened next. This was when she turned ugly. Out of her mouth came a series of “I want.” Next she was lying on the floor screaming that she wanted sprinkles. Oh, she was an ugly little girl.
Strange isn’t it how selfishness makes us ugly. Ugliness happens when we only think about ourselves. Divas are not beautiful. They only think they are. I have never met anyone who wanted to be ugly. People spend billions on cosmetics and stylish clothes trying to be appealing when all they need is a smile and a kindness extended to another.
There is a wonderful song in the musical Annie. The words go like this. “Check out ourselves ‘cause you know you’re never fully dressed without a smile! Your clothes may be Chanel, Gucci your shoes crocodile, But baby you’re never fully dressed without a smile.”
If only that ugly little girl had smiled and said, “Thank you grandpa for the ice cream,” she would have been so beautiful. Alas, hopefully she will learn.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 11, 2015
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org