Look At Me!

Photo by Dallas Reedy on Unsplash

Imagine a lovely day at the beach. Children have gathered at the moist sand near the high-tide line to build sandcastles. Some are simple, made by using a little bucket as a mold. Others are elaborate and very creative, with moats, turrets, inner courtyards, and seashell decorations.

There is one little boy who doesn't join the fun. He's an angry, jealous little brat who expects everyone to pay attention to him at all times, just like his indulgent parents do. But now, passersby are drawn to the sandcastles, marveling at their craftsmanship and praising the young builders. The brat knows he can't compete with the other kids, because he has no creativity and lacks the patience to work with wet sand. Besides, the other kids never invite him to play, because he's mean.

Now, his face turns red as he is flooded with frustration. With a roar, he rushes toward the play area and starts knocking the castles down. The kids shout at him to stop, but he ignores them, running from castle to castle, kicking and flailing, until nothing is left but piles of sand. Some of the youngest children are crying. Other kids call the brat names and threaten to tell his parents. Some just walk away. The brat laughs with spiteful delight. He feels powerful, and everyone is looking at him.