"Cut your hair, already", some fifth graders said as they pushed me against the hard brick wall. I tried to argue with them, but then one of them punched me in the gut. I fell to the ground crying. I remember feeling so confused, trying to figure out what had I done to them. People started crowding around, to see what was happening. Almost all the kids laughed at me, the older kids laughed because they were mean and the smaller ones laughed to fit in. Luckily, the bell rang and recess was over. I was truly "saved by the...
hair. They pestered me on and on about my appearance. Now I feel I have been accepted for my religion. Almost no one insults me because of my appearance, yet they recognize me for it. I now have a sense of pride, a pride that doesn't let people make fun of me.

Sometimes I still have the urge to cut my hair, and be like everybody else; however, I never have and hopefully never will. I sort of like being unique, this way I am a voice in the crowd because I don't just blend in with everyone else.