Pride Goes Before A Fall

 She had always felt that she was better than anyone else.  She made it quite clear that she could get whatever she wanted.  She wore the most expensive clothes, the latest shoes and brought to school the most appetizing lunches.  Scarcely a day would pass without her overworked remark, “I do not need any of you.”

Roslyn was a bright lass from a well-to-do family but she was a very lonely girl.  With all she claimed to have she was still not happy.  There was not one pupil in our class whom she could call her friend.  Most of us looked forward to the day when her pride and haughty spirit would be broken.  It was not long in coming.

It happened suddenly.  She had just passed on the corridor.  She had said not a single word to any of us.  Then suddenly we heard the thud followed by a loud scream.  There she was prostrate on the corridor, her uniform in a mess.  Some children walked right by her while others just laughed.  Still others gazed on her with disdain savouring this moment which many had longed for.

I walked right up to Roslyn and offered her my hand.  In amazement she took it.  That day I made a friend for life.

Stewart Russell © 1999