I've always been different from the others in this town. My tusks and my autism make me stand out, but not in a good way. People here think I'm some sort of devil, with my elephant-like appearance and quirky behavior. It's frustrating to be judged based on things that are out of my control.
Growing up, I struggled to fit in with the other kids at school. They would whisper about me behind my back, calling me names and avoiding me like I was contagious. It hurt to be ostracized simply because I was born different.
I found solace in books - they became my escape from the harsh reality of being an outsider. Reading allowed me to immerse myself in worlds where acceptance wasn't dependent on looks or social norms. But even within the pages of those stories, I couldn't escape the stares and whispers that followed me wherever I went.
As I grew older, I learned to embrace who I am despite what others may think of me. My love for reading turned into a passion for knowledge, and soon enough, people started coming to me for advice on various subjects. It felt empowering to finally be seen as something more than just a freak show.
But deep down inside, there's still a part of me that craves acceptance from those around me - even if it means hiding certain aspects of myself just so they won't judge or fear me anymore. The constant battle between wanting validation and staying true to who you are is exhausting.
Despite everything though, there are moments when someone sees past my exterior and recognizes the person underneath all these layers of prejudice and misconception...and those moments make it all worth it.
So maybe being labeled as "the devil" isn't such a bad thing after all if it means finding genuine connections with people who see beyond what meets the eye.