Barbie vs Sandy

Unearthed from the archives

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. . .Somewhere on Earth, there lived a girl who was the only sister to three brothers. She dressed like her brothers, often donning shorts and shirts. She was happily immersed in the lively chaos of her brothers. But what do they say, one always wants more. Amid the endless playtime, a yearning started to linger in her heart – a desire for friendship with another girl. She often watched other girls playing in the neighborhood near their house, and a wish arose each time, feeling a gentle tug at her heart for a female companion.

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The scene unfolds like this:

One day, as laughter echoes through the neighborhood, this little girl gathers all her courage to approach a group of giggling girls playing with each other. Awkwardly, she walks towards them and tries to join their conversation. Her words stumble like leaves caught in a sudden breeze. The girls exchange puzzled glances, leaving her standing on the outskirts. However, she could see that they were playing with dolls.

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She didn't even like dolls that much, but the attempt to fit in lead her to ask for a doll as a toy from her mother. And one more thing. She begged her mother to let her wear the scarlet frock that was meant for her birthday. Who could turn down the request of such a lovely child.

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The next day, happily dressed in a beautiful scarlet frock with two ponytails, she takes her doll to the group of girls.

But what! They don't bother to notice her presence. She takes a few more steps forward and awkwardly shows them her doll. "Nope," one of the girls whispers in the ear of the other. "She doesn't know we play with Barbies only. Hers is Sandy. We can't let her play with us. Let's go somewhere else." And off they go.

In a state of confusion and heartbreak, she glances at the swing nearby, then runs towards it. Tears have started to roll down her cheeks as she begins rocking the swing to and fro. She wonders why their Barbies are better than her Sandy. It seems okay to her; she can't tell the difference between the two.

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The naive girl didn't know that it wasn't her doll, that they didn't like.

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She has stopped crying and is now rocking herself and her doll, trying to console both of them. She looks so vulnerable in those ponytails and her scarlet frock. The gentle creaking of chains matches her contemplative silence.

Just then, the brothers find her sitting all by herself. They immediately come to her. The eldest senses her sadness but refrains from asking questions. Instead, he suggests, "Why don't we make a castle for your doll? Let's gather some bricks and stones, and decorate it with flowers." Without hesitation, she joyfully joins her brothers.

They kept playing until exhaustion sets in. Happily, they returned home before it was too late, as their mother had advised them not to play after sunset.

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The End