The Little China Doll
THE LITTLE CHINA DOLL.
(based on a dream)
by
Clem Mason
(age-6-10)
(wc-1220)
Fifth grader Brian Wimbley, whom most of his classmates referred to as ‘brainless wimpy’, was sprawled on the terrazo in the middle of the hallway, his books scattered everywhere. Of course, everyone was laughing at him. This was good sport for them. However, Brian hated it. He hated that he was such a small boy, 5′1″, 51 lbs. He hated that he was the brightest student in his school and yet was tormented endlessly because of it. So much so that he purposely missed test questions just to appear normal. And he hated that Frank Waterson, 5′10″, 143 lbs. who had just tripped him happen to be the biggest kid in the school and for reasons unknown, hated Brian. Or maybe it was that Brian was an easy mark.
Brian faught back tears of frastration and began methodically gethering his books. He was thankful his glasses weren’t broken. And he was thankful Frank sat in front of him as class was seated alphabetically.
Brian’s life in school was an endless parade of tripping, head slapping, ear flipping, ‘kick me’ signs on his back, and worst of all, when Frank made him hand over his lunch money. He went hungry many, many times. He was really beginning to hate school. Until Shin Lee appeared.
It was the first day after Christmas break when Miss Bixell stood this minuscule Chinese girl up in front of the class and told everyone to greet their new classmate with a nice round of applause. There was none. Miss Bixell scolded them with no effect. Shin Lee remained stoic with unblinking eyes focused on nothing in particular. She was 4′4″, 39 lbs. Brian was no longer the smallest kid in the school.
She was so very quiet and always kept to herself. Not one girl tried to befriend her. But for reasons Brian could not figure, nobody picked on her. It must have been the black, unblinking eyes that shrouded her in mystery. They actually seemed to be afraid of her.
Then one day, Shin stepped up with lunch tray in hand by Brian’s table where he always ate alone and spoke to him for the first time.
“May I sit here?” she asked softly.
Brian could only manage a nod but was glad for the company. However, that is all she said. They didn’t talk. She never again asked but came to sit across from him everyday thereafter until Frank got his fill of it.
He lumbered over and looked from one to the other, leaning on the table. Brian could not swallow he was so afraid. He looked up with frightened eyes.
“What? Are you stupid or something?” he said to Shin.
“Why?” she asked politely.
“Because you’re sittin’ with this farging loser,” he said.
“I pick my own friends,” she said.
Brian about choked. Friends? We’re Friends?
“Then I guess that would make you a fargin’ loser too,” he said.
“It takes one to know one, lunkhead,” Shin offered.
Frank slowly stood erect. “What did you call me?”
Shin never batted an eye. “That’s lunkhead. L-U-N-K-H-E-A-D. If you look it up in the dictionary, I’m sure you’ll see your picture. It means a stupid person. In your case, a very stupid person.”
Frank’s face grew red with rage. “You ain’t big enough to talk to me like that, Chink girl.”
Shin actually smiled. “Oh, are you going to cry, you big, ignorant Irish dog.”
Frank pointed his finger at her and loud for all to hear. “I’ll see you after school you little Chinese witch.”
There was a collective gasp throughout the lunch room.
Brian looked at her and saw nothing. Her black eyes showed absolutely no emotion what-so-ever. He felt sick. How could this be happening? He couldn’t finish his lunch and he was beside himself the rest of the day. He had great fear for Shin and he couldn’t do a thing about it.
Brian peeked around the corner of the school building and sure enough, the entire student body was waiting out on the ball diamond and Frank was poised in the middle at the front of the semicircle, waiting with his arm folded. Brian felt a sickly panic.
Shin walked up behind him and touched his shoulder and he near jumped out of his shoes.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
Brian could feel the tears coming to his eyes. “Shin, …please. Can’t we just go home?”
She looked up at him and frowned. “And what about tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow you would still be alive. Please, Shin,” he pleaded. “I can’t help you.”
She patted him on the shoulder, her eyes twinkling. “Come on. This could be fun for both of us.”
She walked fast, a rapid, deliberate pace. Brian lagged behind, his legs shaking so bad they near gave out on him. He was not wanting to face Frank Waterson on his terms.
He was almost out of breath when Shin came to a stop a few paces from the big bully. She folded her arms and waited. “It’s your move, dummy,” she taunted him.
Without a word, he lunged at her and a roar went up from the crowd. However, all he grabbed was an armful of air. Shin had stepped aside, evading him. He turned, looking bewildered. The crowd went silent. Shin was waiting, arms still folded.
“I must warn you, Frank that I am a master of the martial arts and I am about to embarrass you beyond your wildest imagination.”
Frank lunged at her again and again a roar went up and again he grabbed only air. A hush fell over the crowd.
“It would serve you well to stop now while you can,” she warned him.
He swung a massive fist at her face and suddenly his face was stinging so bad it brought tears to his eyes. He stood back, rubbing his reddening cheek. She had slapped him good.
She pointed a finger at him. “Your eyes are next,” she said.
Again, he tried to hit her in the face and his left eye was suddenly stinging beyond measure. Then a small fist slammed hard into his kidney and a well placed kick buckled his knee. The big bully fell to the ground, wrenching in pain. The fight was over. There was not a sound from the whole student body.
Shin stood as tall as she could as everyone looked on in total disbelief. She shouted so all could hear. “Hear this, one and all. If anyone so much as taps Brian on the shoulder, you’re gonna have to answer to me.”
There was no response.
She yelled louder. “Is that understood?”
Most acknowledged with a nod and filed silently away. Frank was still rolling on the ground, moaning and holding his knee. Shin went over to help him to his feet and then gave him a hard shove towards home, kicking her foot in his general direction. She looked at Brian and smiled.
Guess what? Frank didn’t come to school the rest of the week. It turned out to be the best day in Brian’s life.
The end.
If you liked this story and you feel the poor, old author deserves compensation in his retirement for this creation, then please feel free to send $1.00 to Clem Mason, c/o Backwater Publishing. 66021-0213.
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Questions and comments are welcome. Thank you for your fairness and honesty.
Thank you very much and may God bless you.