That yellow dress

Like many other girls of her age, Rani, a 5 year old girl was now conscious of her appearance. She would select what to wear on her own. One day, Rani's father went out on an office tour and bought her a surprise gift. Rani's eyes were filled with joy when she unwrapped the gift, it was a yellow skirt-top. Without wasting a second, she tried on the dress and showed it to everyone. Her father and every other family member praised her calling her the most beautiful princess in the world. Rani was very happy about it.

The other day, it was her friend's birthday and she decided to wear the yellow dress for the party. Again, her friends praised her for the dress, making her very happy. Few days later, Rani went to a wedding with her parents in the same yellow dress. Once again, her relatives appreciated her along with the dress making her more happier. This continued in many other functions. The next month, it was Rani's birthday and once again she decided to wear the yellow dress. This time Rani's mother was not in the favor of her wearing that dress. But Rani did not listen to her and wore it. 

Many days later, it was again an invitation for a party. Rani was looking for her dress but could not find it in the wardrobe. She went running to her mother to enquire about it. Her mother asked to go to the laundry shop nearby their house to find her dress. She went there and was completely shocked to see the laundryman's daughter in her beautiful yellow dress. Rani was shattered. She came to her house and very angrily asked her mother why she did that. Her mother replied that people will make fun of her if she were to wear the same dress everywhere. She then showed her a new dress to wear for the party. She could not understand the meaning but she soon forgot about that yellow dress and grew up asking for a new dress on every occasion.

This short narrative of Rani's life is one among many such events where  innocent feelings are crushed under the prejudice of the society without one being aware of it. One must question the behavior as to what is the driving force behind the act and not blindly follow what is served.