Sarah Age 12

Suzy had a bunny rabbit

whose tail was soft as cotton.

“Potten” was the bunny’s name

and in the pot went Potten

As time passed, Sarah’s emotional burden grew. The echoes of crying rabbits haunted her dreams, and the guilt of consuming dishes made from the very creatures she cherished tore at her heart. She felt guilty enjoying having food in her stomach. Sarah was consistently conflicted until it simply didn’t make any sense at all. All she had was her writing to pour out her feelings, but even then words were never quite enough.

The guilt she felt for consuming animal products became unbearable, leading her to adopt a strict vegetarian lifestyle. She tried to find solace in her writing, pouring her heart and soul into each word, but it was never enough to ease the ache within her.

Sarah’s dedication to being a vegetarian began to take a toll on her own well-being. Sarah’s commitment to her vegetarian lifestyle became an ongoing battle within her own home. Every mealtime turned into a tense confrontation between her and her mother. Despite her earnest requests for alternative options, her mother adamantly refused to accommodate her dietary choices.

The arguments that ensued were filled with frustration and resentment. Sarah’s mother, unable to understand or appreciate her daughter’s deep convictions, saw her vegetarianism as a mere inconvenience. She dismissed Sarah’s concerns and belittled her for what she perceived as a rebellious phase.

As the days turned into weeks, Sarah’s mother’s resistance to her dietary needs only grew stronger. Mealtimes became increasingly stressful and emotionally draining. Sarah felt like an outsider in her own home, longing for acceptance and understanding from the person she loved the most.

In an attempt to ease the tension, Sarah turned to her teachers for support. As Sarah sought support outside her home, for her vegetarian lifestyle she was relieved t find the school was accepting of her choices. Recognizing the importance of accommodating her dietary needs, they worked together to arrange a vegetarian meal plan at school. However, the options available were limited, with alternating choices of cheese sandwiches or peanut butter sandwiches. Occasionally, she would have them toasted to add some variety to her meals. On pizza days, she would have cheese pizza, the only vegetarian option provided.

Unfortunately, Sarah’s dietary choices did not go unnoticed by her peers. The other children at school, unaware or uninterested in understanding her reasons for being vegetarian, teased her for her different lunches. They made jokes and comments, sometimes even excluding her from group activities during lunchtime. Sarah felt isolated and singled out, struggling to find her place among her classmates.

The teasing and exclusion took a toll on Sarah’s self-esteem. She questioned her decision to be vegetarian, wondering if it was worth enduring the ridicule from her peers. The once vibrant and confident girl began to withdraw, feeling self-conscious and isolated.

However, amidst the challenges she faced, Sarah found solace in a few supportive friends who embraced her for who she was. They stood by her side, offering words of encouragement and understanding. With their support, she found the strength to persevere despite the teasing and negativity.

She shared with her mother, that she was not the only child at school who had these thoughts and feelings, hoping to change her mother’s mind about her being a vegetarian. her efforts were met with disdain. Her mother scoffed saying she was just being a follower. She criticizes Sarah’s friends as radical people who had no sense, just like Sarah.

The constant barrage of negative remarks chipped away at Sarah’s self-confidence, leaving her feeling defeated and invalidated. Her mother continued to refuse to provide alternative options. Every meal was an argument where Sarah was berated by her mother. The weight of the world’s indifference and the constant struggle against societal norms became too much for her young shoulders to bear. Loneliness consumed her as she felt isolated from those around her.

Her parents, unable to comprehend her internal battles, grew increasingly frustrated with her. They saw her as an overly sensitive child, unable to move past her idealistic notions. Their disapproval only served to deepen Sarah’s sense of isolation.