Klissa's Moment of Truth
January 5, 2010 When we speak, honesty counts the most.
Deceit and lies are unacceptable.
Klissa never had her hair done before. But then she had never graduated from school before either. Her long year of studying had paid off—she was getting the Lioness of the Year Ring! Her parents said that as a special treat, she could go to the You Grow It, We Style It Beauty Shop to have her hair done.
Thrilled, Klissa poured through all the latest magazines and found several with layouts on lions! She found a hairdo she fell in love with and, wanting to surprise everyone, she hid the magazine.
On graduation day, her mother drove Klissa to the beauty shop. She asked if Klissa wouldn’t like her to stay, but Klissa rolled her eyes and said, “Mommm! I’m graduating today; I’m a big lioness now. I’ll catch a bus from here to school and meet you and dad there.” Her mother kissed Klissa on the cheek, which got another eye-roll and then a giggle from Klissa who quickly kissed her mother back.
Klissa entered the shop and was taken to the shop’s most popular hairdresser, a monkey named Esmeralda. Esmeralda looked at the magazine and then at Klissa. “Honey, this is a pretty funky hairdo. And I mean funky. You sure you want this?”
“Oh, yes ma’am!” Klissa’s turquoise eyes sparkled.
Esmeralda exclaimed, ”Well then, let’s get to it!” And she began to wash, cut, color, blow-dry, brush, and band Klissa’s hair. When she was all done, she handed Klissa a mirror.
Studying herself, Klissa asked, “Do you like it?”
“Sure. It’s just like the photo,” Esmeralda replied.
Klissa left the shop and caught the bus to school. Getting off, she saw her friends. She ran up to them and asked, “Do you like my new hairdo?” They looked at each other and mumbled, “Ah, sure.” “Great hairdo.” “Love it.”
Next, Klissa saw her lion friend Trislan. As he looked at her hairdo, she asked “Do you like it?” Trislan swallowed and paused for just a second before saying “Very nice.”
Klissa saw her parents and ran over to them. “Do you like it?” Her father seemed at a loss for words. Just as her mother began to speak, the principal called out for everyone to take their seats. Klissa ran to her chair without hearing her mother’s reply.
Soon the speeches were finished and it was time for the students to go onstage to receive their diplomas. Klissa was shaking the principal’s paw and accepting the ring when suddenly one of her rubber bands broke. Then the other two snapped as well! Klissa’s hairdo was out of control with hair going in every direction! Horrified, she ran off the stage.
As Trislan and her friends came up to her, she cried out, “Why didn’t you just tell me it was a stupid hairdo?” They all said they didn’t want to hurt her feelings. “Well, being embarrassed in front of everyone in town is a whole lot worse! Next time, tell me the truth. Please!”
Klissa’s friends and Trislan apologized, her mother brushed out her hair, and her father said, “Thank goodness. Let’s go eat.”
When others ask us what we think,
we should honestly—and politely—tell them.
Reader Comments (2)
We went to sit-ins to protest a horrible war and we embarrassed THEM into ending it.
We made human chains around people burning draft cards.
We burned our bras to give women greater freedom.
We walked protests to bring civil rights about.
We peacefully chanted Kumbuya and we changed the world.
We organized boycotts to end the use of DDT on the enrivonment.
If I were to meet Klissa, I would say, "You go girl!!!" You have the courage of a great lion to follow your own path. That courage can change the world. Don't be embarrased to step outside society's box. Wear your funky hair style and use it to get attention towards a better world.
The Klissa's are our artists, our innovators, our protestors, our hope the world can be DIFFERENT and better.
What a wonderful lioness! Don't be embarrassed. Keep following your heart dear Klissa! You are the future.
Signed,
Non-embarrassed Leo from the 60s.
PS I still wear my tye-dyed shirt and peace necklace. When I do some of the PeaceNiks emerge with, "I remember those days!" Yes, there are still some trail blazers out there. :-) We are the ones supporting the Campaign for Tibet...
If I were to meet a Klissa how would I say this in an honest way that sounds nice and not condesending: If this is something you like you should wear it but it would not be something I would do, say or wear.
I believe in choice and free-will but I believe I have the right to be conservative with my own life's choices. Of course this could just be fear, not to branch out but I would rather think of it as a good fear so an not to go too far and break a precept or to be arrogant.
Anybody