When My Doll Was My Only Friend
By Nouf Al Subiei
My name is Nouf.
You see me now and wonder what makes me so happy and always smiling. Will it be hard for you to imagine that I have been through countless days when I didn't even know what the word happiness meant, let alone experience it or smile because of it?
Let me tell you my story.
I can remember days in my childhood when I wanted to play with other kids and be accepted as part of a group, but the other kids always moved away from me. I did not know why. I felt sad and used to spend time alone, and there was nothing to amuse me except my doll.
I remember watching the kids around me opening their mouths and moving their lips, and I would mimic their moves thinking foolishly that by doing so I would endear myself to them. They would just stare and laugh at me, I could never understand why!
Days passed and my friendship with my doll grew stronger. My doll continued to be the only true friend who was able to relate to me just as I could to her.
One day, Mama accompanied me to a large place where kids were playing. They all seemed happy and excited, and I wanted to join them. I noticed that they all had wires attached to their ears. I couldn't help but wonder why these children were hooked up to wires. Nonetheless, I just wished to share in their joy.
Many days later, Mama brought me wires. These wires resembled the ones I saw the happy children wearing at that big place. I quickly learned that they were called hearing aides. I put them on my ears and, for the first time, heard sounds around me.
Oh, I heard Mama's voice, Baba's voice, the voice of my brothers and my sisters. I heard the murmur of water, the rustle of trees, and the call for prayer. Everything around me made sounds that I heard. I was so happy and finally understood.
Not much later, it was time for me to take another step. I joined Sa'ad Center for Speech Therapy, and soon after I was able to make friends with children my age.
Days had passed, yet I couldn't forget my doll, my old friend.
I am now in third grade. I am excelling in school. I memorize the Qura'n and poems and am able to recite them in a beautiful voice. Praise be to Allah.
Have you known the secret of my happiness?
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