When a Child Stops Trusting Others | Rory’s Journey – Episode 6

Sometimes a child’s silence isn’t because they have nothing to say. Sometimes they have learned to wonder whether anyone will truly listen.

A child who has felt misunderstood, dismissed, or unheard may begin protecting themselves in ways that can look like anger, defensiveness, withdrawal, or even an unwillingness to connect. What we see on the outside may only be the protection they have built around something much more tender. And sometimes, the person who finally reaches them isn’t the one with the perfect advice or the perfect question. It’s simply the person who stays long enough to listen.

In Episode 6 of Rory’s Journey, a quiet moment between two friends gives Rory something he hasn’t felt comfortable giving before: a piece of his story. As you read together, you might gently ask your child: “What helps you know someone is really listening to you?”

You may be surprised by the answer.

 

Lyrion sat quietly beside Rory examining the mushroom. He was also fascinated by its brilliant glow.

“They’re amazing… aren’t they?” Rory watched Lyrion inspecting the mushroom.

“Yes,” said Lyrion. “Have you been here before?”

“No.” Rory reached down and picked up another one. “I’ve seen small patches of them, but never an entire field.”

Things were peaceful between them as they sat there admiring the glowing field. They didn’t speak. Lyrion looked at Rory, and for the first time, he seemed calm.

“Rory?”

“Yes.”

“What did they do to you?”

“Who?”

“I don’t know. But someone had to have hurt you. I can hear it.”  Lyrion hesitated. He didn’t want to upset his friend. He wanted to help. “I can hear the pain in your voice when you try to explain yourself,” he said slowly.

Rory stared at the mushroom. He was silent for quite a while.

“They all did,” he mumbled.

Lyrion could barely hear him. “Who?”

“All of them! Everyone at my old school.”

Lyrion was nervous to continue questioning him. But he knew the only way he could help was by finding out what happened to him.

“What did they do to you?” Lyrion asked gently.

Rory rolled the mushroom between his fingers and began to slowly explain. “Our headmaster had a brand-new river log that he loved very much. It was on the riverbank next to our school. After slug ball practice, everyone went home except the headmaster, the coach, our main player, and me for extra practice. Our headmaster was inside, and our coach went inside too. While we waited, the other player decided he would sit in the headmaster’s new log. I was still sitting on the stump by the school, but I could see everything. I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea, but he told me to mind my own business.”

Rory paused. Lyrion knew Rory was reliving the details of that day and feeling the pain all over again. He placed his hand on Rory’s back to reassure him that he was still there and that he wasn’t going anywhere, just like he didn’t go anywhere when Rory was trapped in the hole.

Rory took a deep breath and continued. “The other player got in the log and accidentally hit the main stick. It slid into the water and drifted downstream. Although they looked for it, no one ever found it and the headmaster was furious. I didn’t know it at the time, but the coach and that player decided to blame the incident on me because we had a championship game scheduled for that weekend with the team in the next village. The headmaster would have suspended that player, so the coach told all the teachers I did it. The other player told all the students. Everyone was mad at me. I tried to explain everything to the headmaster and my parents, but no one would listen to me and I was suspended. The rumors continued to grow because everyone assumed the worst and no one would listen to the truth. No one. So, we moved. That’s why I don’t talk to anyone and stay to myself. And I probably overreact when things happen.” Rory looked at the mushroom again. “I don’t trust anyone.”    

Lyrion finally understood what his friend was feeling, and he honestly didn’t blame him. He knew he needed to help him, but he couldn’t do it himself. However, he knew someone who could. It was someone he had already met. But tonight he would walk Rory home, and tomorrow they would make a special trip to the Tree of Wisdom.

 

Thank you for visiting Glimmerwood Middle School, one of the many magical places within the Starlight Realm, where every adventure helps courage, kindness, and imagination grow.

Discover what awaits Rory next week as he continues his journey through Glimmerwood Forest. 

— Written with care by W. L. Shaw, creator of Fanciful Tales