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Help! Daddy! Its about to grip me! Shearly screamed from the hallway.
Mr Hawkins ran up the hallway
What is it Li?
Its that monster on the wall again, she said and at the same time pointing at the wall. Her Dad picked her up.
Its alright my angel, Daddy is here for you now. Okay?
Okay. She replied through tear streaming eyes.
He took her in to her room, place her on the bed. Should i read you a bedtime story? He asked.
Yes Dad. Read the one about the little Becky who outgrew her fear for the dark and became a soldier. Shearly said.
Okay.
There was a family in Brier town who lived in affluence and wealth. The man of the house, Mr. Tomkins was a renowned engineer and was the in the private employ of the mayor.
They had an only daughter named Becky who was so dear to them and was their pride. Becky was bright in and out of school. She was taught to read as soon as she could choke out words and the best teachers were assigned to her.
In physique, Becky looked more like her mother, Mrs Tomkins. Silk golden hair, blue soft eyes and a tall gait. She was just the perfect kid everyone wanted. But despite all this, Becky does not fully enjoy her childhood. She had Sciophobia, the fear of shadow. Her own shadow.
Whenever the night comes and she happens to walk alone in a partially lit room or pathway and the lights fell on her form, she lets out a prolong shriek which sometimes leave her unconscious for hours.
The family tried all they could to put her through getting over her fears but eight year old Becky seems to keep feeding her fears for her shadow.
Gradually, her performance in school dropped. She barely sleep enough at night and could not stay alone around the house.
Her parents got so worried and also spent a lot in fixing almost every point of the room with light bulbs so as to minimize the formation of reflections on the walls.
One day, when she was about 12 years. While in class, her geography teacher told them about the eclipse of the sun, in which the moon goes in between the sun and earth during the day there by casting it dark shadow and cutting off light. She made them see the beauty in this rare phenomenon and she made it clear that those who witnessed it during their lifetime were exceedingly lucky.
Everything matter has a shadow. Its natural. As far as there is light on one end and a surface on the other and a body in between them, the shadow must be formed. Miss Eark said.
Any questions? She asked.
All through the lesson, Becky was pretty much attentive and when her mistress gave the chance for questions, she immediately shot up her hand.
Yes, Miss Tomkins.
Miss Eark, you said the moon also has a shadow?
Yes.
And it has nothing to fear about it?
No. There is nothing to fear about a shadow. It has no physical ability. Its just a reflection of you albeit in dark form. It does your bidding and keeps you company to. So, its nothing to be scared of, Miss Eark said, smiling.
Becky thought for a while. Smiled to herself and resolved to face her fear squarely.
That night, she went gingerly up to her room, switch off one side of the light and turn round to face the opposite wall. There it was! Her longtime tormentor. She saw it looked exactly like her and she tried putting up her hand. It did the same. She made some jerky movement, it followed suit but in a funny way.
Becky smile to herself.
From that day upward, she used her shadow to amuse herself and make fun when alone.
Mr Hawkins shut the story book and stroke her hairs gently.
That is all Baby. Never be scared of your shadow or any other shadow okay. Its there just to amuse you and keep you company, not to scared you.
Okay Dad, Shearly said.