Be Yourself

Olivia walked into her new classroom feeling nervous yet excited. She had lived her whole life in a little town in Taiwan but was now starting a new adventure in the big city of Taipei.

After everyone scrambled to their seats, the teacher had the students introduce themselves and helped them choose their class leaders. Olivia was a class leader at her previous school, and she hoped to be selected again. However, to her disappointment, her more outspoken classmates got the most votes.

During music class, Olivia listened as some students took turns playing the piano. Everyone clapped when they finished. My family can't afford piano lessons for me, Olivia thought enviously. It's not fair.

In art class, some of Olivia's classmates drew beautiful pictures. I wish I could draw like them, she thought.

In PE, everyone cheered for the athletic students. Bitterness grew inside Olivia. I'm never good at sports. I wish people would cheer for me. Maybe I should try to be like them.

"Dad, why