He was born with Down's syndrome. He lumped his face. Short and stout, he had a protuberant stomach, a larger-than-normal head, two unequaled arms, and knock-kneed legs. These features made him grow and develop in a very different way from others, physically and psychologically. He confided only with himself. He had no friend. Yes, he was the downtrodden, the subject of abuse, inferiority, and denigration.
In school, since their teacher taught them the poem, "Humpty Dumpty," he had earned the name of this tragic character. His mates, occasionally, dramatized the poem, imitated how he walks and gestured at him to join the comic performance. Owing to these harsh realities, he learned to shield himself against everyone that peopled the world. He made friends with no one. He was rejected and dejected.
Then, a girl joined them in class. A new student. She was the one who reacted against the practice. She had noticed how he keeps everyone at arm's length; he would not speak to anyone. He would, during recess, bury his head in books, tirelessly trying to let the details journey to his head. Then, one day, she witnessed the comic play; her reaction changed how he perceives himself.
That day, the teacher had given them tests on spelling words and he performed remarkably. The teacher acknowledged him and demanded that everyone should applaud him. Later, when their teacher left, the drama began. There was chatter and cheer from almost everybody. It seemed the play was recreated, intensified to make him pay for his intelligent display. He was already drowning in the river of dejection, his head on his desk while his eyes were firmly shut when he found a straw to clutch on. He heard someone, silver-tongued and golden-voiced, address the class. It was the new girl.
"...let not the pot call the kettle black," he heard her, faintly. "Remi Johnson may have physical features that are different from ours. But we don't have to abuse and jest him because of them. He is restless and trying hard to get better every day. Why can't we help and encourage him to derive greatness from his abilities and qualities? Just like everybody, Remi is a perfect creation of God. He has a purpose in life and he's loved, if not by everyone, by God." The class went quiet. It was a speech that exterminates the previous excitement.
By the time the speech ended, he was already onshore, washed away by the tide, saved from the turbulent storm. He was just feeble, exhausted, looking up at the clouds with their silver linings.
