Short Stories

A Damsel-in-Disguise

Note: This is an essay I made in my university. I found it fun so I decided to post it here. And if I felt like it, I might turn it into a short story, really. Huahua. I need an inspiration somehow.

Photo source: pexels.com

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They find it cute when a father treats his daughter like a princess. But she was different. He doesn't pamper her when she cries for her scraped knees, instead tells her it's not something to cry for, that time will heal it. He didn't rush to those who bullied her, he taught her how to fight back. He was determined to raise his daughter into a strong yet sweet woman who can tame even the wildest beast.

While her father taught her how to be equal as a man, her mother did not forget to raise her like a lady. While he made her strike the punching bag 50 times, she taught her that make-up is power and to use it as a weapon. While he made her do 30 push ups every day, she taught her the proper etiquette at the table. But they both taught her how to walk with confidence and elegance.

The girls she knew in her childhood were bubbly, charming, and delicate yet she was enthralling, dauntless, and bold. They wanted to play with her Barbie, she wanted to play with wooden swords. They play in the rain, she plays in the mud. She becomes messy yet is the epitome of beauty.

Cinderella, Snow White, and Aurora dreamt for their prince to save them from their misery. She doesn't need protection, she's the one who protects. She grew up to be an independent strong woman who needs no man. She can save herself from the evil witches and dragons, heck she'll even befriend them. She doesn't need your treasures, she can earn them from her hard work. You don't need to build her a castle because she'll just give it the needy and for the stray cats and dogs. Don't even think about buying her shoes and clothes, she'll just sell those then donate the money. She doesn't need a man who'll make her feel pretty and outstanding, she already knows that. And lastly, she's not a prize for you to gain.

Despite all these, as strong as she was, she still needed a shoulder to cry on, her best friend. Though she says she needs no man, he came and proved her wrong. That she's still a girl who needs a kind of love that will make her heart warm and ache at the same time. Someone who will catch her when she trips and falls, and that was him. He hugs her when she feels tired and refuses to rest. He kisses her tears when she felt like crying from all the hurt she felt. And tells her how much he loves to reassure her she's not alone. And on her darkest days when she feels inadequate and worthless, she realizes who she is and there's her beloved parents by her side. So, she wipes away her tears and straightens her crown.

"A warrior is that woman who gets up despite the enemies trying to destroy her. A woman who declares victory before seeing it." She may have a quiet and gentle spirit but she's taught to be a mighty warrior queen who needs no dazzling prince nor gallant knight to save her. Because she is a woman who has the eyes of a wild beast.