THE GIRL NO ONE TALKED TO

THE GIRL NO ONE TALKED TO
By Jennifer Leigh Youngs
Last year there was a girl at our school who hardly anyone talked to. I think it was because she
seldom showered, and she kind of smelled bad. Her name was Cindy Lindburg. I didn't know
exactly where she lived, but it must have been somewhere in the neighborhood because we
always got on the school bus at the same bus stop.
Cindy Lindburg didn't have many friends. She always came to the lunch room alone and she left
alone. On the bus, no one offered her a seat, and she never asked because she was sort of a
shy person. She seemed like a nice girl -- who had an odor problem.
One day, I was walking up to the bus stop and I saw Carl Littleton mak-
ing fun of her. I couldn't hear what he was saying, but I saw the way he
was laughing and rolling his eyes in his typical poking-fun-at-you way.
I also saw how sad it made Cindy. Clutching her notebook to her chest
like a shield, she stared at the ground and moved as far away from him
as possible without leaving the bus stop entirely. As soon as I got close
enough, I glared at Carl to make him stop laughing--even though I knew
he probably wouldn't . He didn't. So I walked over and stood closer to
Cindy so she wouldn't feel quite so bad. It was just one of those times
when you just knew someone needed someone to be a friend.
I didn't think she'd say anything, but she did. Her eyes peeked up from
staring at the ground and as though she thought I'd be embarrassed if
anyone heard her speak to me, she whispered, "Hi."
"Hi," I said. Then as loudly as I could, I said, "Don't pay any attention to
Carl. His parents have been unsuccessful in teaching him some man-
ners."
Some of the kids standing there laughed. The comment didn't even
rouse a smile out of Cindy. By now everyone there was talking with a
friend. Quietly, and with a serious look on her face, Cindy said, "I don't
know why everyone hates me."
I was surprised at her words. "No one hates you," I told her.
"Then why don't I have any friends?" she asked.
Her question took me by surprise. I thought for a moment. "Well,' I began, wondering if I could
tell her that maybe it was because she smelled so awful, "I think you're smart and all, and you
dress okay, and..."
"So then, what is it?" she blurted."Well," I hedged and then figured it's now or never. "Maybe it's because you...." I paused because
I almost said "stink" but instead, "don't smell so good."
She looked up, studying my face as if checking to see if I was making fun of her or being mean.
I guess she decided I wasn't. She nodded, like she believed what I said was true. Since she
seemed to take this well, I added, "I think you'd probably make more friends if you took more
baths." She looked away and, worried that I might have gone too far, I shrugged and added, "It's
just a thought." (My mom says that sometimes when she gives me advice.)
Turning back to face me, Cindy took a deep breath and said, "Thank you." I was so relieved, and
the next moment the bus arrived, and all the kids started piling on.
"If I save a seat for you on the bus tomorrow," she asked, "will you sit with me?"
"Sure," I said.
I'm happy to report that Cindy did take more baths from that day on. And it wasn't too long before
she started to make friends at school. I was one of them.
I made a difference for the better in Cindy's life. And got a new friend to boot!