I am David, and I was 6, too young, and vulnerable to be deceived, I was the 2nd child in the family of Mr. Samuel. Having an elder brother who was 6 years older than me, I trusted him with his words. "If you wave at those white birds flying high the sky, your fingers will have a white mark," he told me. Each day I never failed to wave at the birds, any sign of a white mark I notice on my finger, I surmise it was from the birds. Look at the sky, the symbol inside the moon is our beloved mary clenching Jesus, we were too small to think contrary to what we were told, just after a tale by moonlight, we stayed under the moon and admire the woman in the moon.
My elder brother must have glimpsed how easy it was for me to believe him when he introduced me to a phobia for some small red insects. Your entire generation will die if you ever kill any of these insects, he said, I had mistakenly stepped on them that day and I believed I was going to die, but later noticed none died, so I was relieved tension but I became so conscious about the red insects and grew an intense fear for them. I was no longer the free me who walks carelessly without taking notice of what lies on my path, I took my steps with caution.
Anyone who had an older sibling, older friend or even older cousin can probably relate to this story. The innocence of youth is captured here, and the vulnerability. Impressions made in childhood can last a lifetime, as you illustrate.
The development of a phobia is a unique angle and makes the story particularly interesting. Thank you for posting this well-told story in the Ink Well community.
Oh, that is painful, @dwixer. To have carried that fear with him since childhood. It's funny, though, what older siblings will say to younger ones, just hoping for a reaction and not realizing the impact their words can have. You really captured that well.
Your post has been voted as a part of Encouragement program. Keep up the good work!
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I can relate to this story when a neighbor of mine told me that after Killing such insect all the wild beast will come hunting for me.
This is a touching story. David carried the phobia throughout childhood only to find out it was a hoax...
I can totally relate... Childhood is so malleable, and with the right touch can become anything. You show that very well in your story.
It's a beautiful piece, I'm glad I read it...
You are welcome man...👍🏽
Hello @dwixer,
This is a very effective story, well told. The things that happen to us in childhood have such a profound influence on our lives. I read with particular interest the way this phobia developed. When I was very, very young my brothers were a bit hard on me. They once forced me to swing on vines that hung over a cliff. I managed to survive!but my fear of cliffs never left me.
Your description of the child's fear is persuasive. Good job my friend!
Great story, I once made my little sister scared after telling her orange seed will grow in her belly if she swallows it. Ever then she was careful with orange seed and cries whenever she swallow one by mistake afraid it will grow