"Hey
Granny! This has to be the worst day of my life!"
"What's
the matter dear?"
"I
failed my exam and my friends hate me."
"Why
would your friends hate you because you failed your exam?"
"They
don't hate me because I failed my exam Granny. They hate me
because of my teeth!"
"What's
the matter with your teeth dear?"
"They
told me when I smile all they can see of my face is my
teeth."
"So
don't smile, dear."
"What
Granny? Do you want me to be miserable all my life?"
"Not
miserable dear, just don't smile."
"That's
not the answer – I need to fix my teeth."
"So
every time someone doesn't like something about you, it means
you have to go and fix it?"
"Yeah
something like that granny."
"Well
dear, if someone doesn't like you just because of something
silly like your teeth dear, then I don't think you can call them
a friend."
"Well
I don't have friends anyway Granny because everyone always finds
something wrong with something about me. I'm just never good
enough for anyone."
"Oh
don't be ridiculous dear. You shouldn't listen to what people
say – except me of course. Why we could all find something
wrong with everyone we know. Just be glad you've got teeth dear.
When you get old they're usually the first to go. And by the
way, nobody is perfect dear."
"But
Granny some people are more imperfect than others."
"Ok
dear, if you insist on being negative I'll just leave you to
wallow in self pity. Let me know when you want to have a real
conversation."
"It's
no good Granny – you've ruined my life."
"Me?
What have I done now?"
"You're
too old Granny and everyone says I'll be mentally scarred if I'm
raised by an older person – like I won't have anyone to
identify with."
"Nonsense
dear. Who told you that? The same person who got you about your
teeth huh?"
"Well,
er…"
"Dear,
I can't take the credit for ruining your whole life. I think
you've done quite a good job of messing up most of it
yourself."
"There
you see Granny, you don't understand me. My friend says the
generation gap is bad enough between parents and kids but
between grandparents and kids it’s a massive, whopping, great
void. Like we live on different planets Granny!"
"So
you're mentally scarred dear?"
"I
dunno Granny. What do you think?"
"Time
will tell dear."
"Thanks
a lot Granny. You're supposed to comfort me and make me feel
better!"
"Would
you like me to humor you dear. If it makes you feel better I can
tell you everything is wonderful – your friends are marvelous
and very kind, you are a rational strong personality, and your
have a tiresome old grandmother."
"Now
that's better Granny. You certainly are getting the hang of it.
But I want braces."
"Have
you lost weight dear?"
"Not
on my trousers Granny! On my teeth!"
"Oh
back to your teeth dear. Well I prefer the natural look."
"Even
if the natural look means I look like Bucky Beaver?"
"I
think Bucky Beaver is awesomely cute dear."
"That
would be fine if my parents were beavers but I'm supposed to be
a human being…"
"And
a bright one you are dear."
"So
can I have braces Granny?"
"Nope.
Too expensive and you have a lovely smile dear."
"But
a moment ago you told me not to smile!"
"Only
If your friends don't like it dear."
"But
how can I have a strong personality if I only do what they want.
You're making me feel confused Granny."
"Well
that's not so difficult dear."
"And
the generation gap is getting wider and wider til I can hardly
see you anymore Granny…."
"Perhaps
you need glasses instead of braces dear."
"It's
no use. You'll never understand me. I'm doomed to grow up a
miserable person with buck teeth and no friends."
"Only
if you choose to dear.. but really dear, I wouldn't worry too
much because the only gap around here in the one between your
teeth!"
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