By Naazi Morad
Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Evergrade, children were measured not by their laughter, kindness, or courage—but by the numbers on scrolls called “Achievement Slips.” These slips were handed out by the Royal Schoolmasters, who believed that only those with perfect marks were worthy of praise, protection, and parental pride.
In this kingdom lived a bright-eyed child named Liora. She loved painting clouds, asking impossible questions, and helping the village healer mix herbs. But Liora’s scrolls were never perfect. Her numbers danced and dipped, and though she tried her best, her parents, Sir and Lady Expectation, only saw the red ink.
“Why can’t you be like Prince A-plus?” they sighed. “He never disappoints.” Liora began to shrink. Not in body, but in spirit. Her once-curious eyes dimmed. She stopped painting. She stopped asking. She stopped trying.
One day, while wandering the Whispering Woods, Liora met an old owl named Psyche. He wore spectacles made of moonlight and spoke in riddles that felt like truths. “You look like a child who’s been graded instead of guided,” said Psyche gently. Liora nodded. “I’m not enough. I’m not perfect.” The owl blinked slowly. “Perfection is a prison. You were born to be whole, not flawless.” He showed her a mirror made of river glass. In it, Liora saw not her grades, but her grit. Not her mistakes, but her meaning. She wept, not from sadness, but from recognition.
The Psychology Behind the Tale
This story mirrors a growing crisis: academic pressure is linked to anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in children and teens. When love is conditional on performance, children internalize the belief that they are only valuable when they succeed. This erodes self-worth and emotional safety.
Why This Matters for Parents and Educators
– Mental health must come before academic achievement. A child who feels safe and accepted is more likely to thrive in the long run. Perfectionism is not excellence. It’s fear in disguise. Emotional validation builds resilience. Children who are allowed to fail without shame develop stronger coping skills and self-awareness.
– Every child learns differently. Neurodivergent, creative, or trauma-affected children may not fit the mold—but they carry gifts that can’t be measured by tests.
What You Can Do Today
– Replace “Why didn’t you get an A?” with “How did you feel about this?”
– Celebrate effort, not just outcome.
– Create space for rest, play, and emotional check-ins.
– Seek support if your child shows signs of burnout, withdrawal, or hopelessness.
The Moral of the Story
Liora returned home, not with perfect grades, but with a new truth: She was not a report card. She was a story still unfolding. And slowly, her parents began to see it too.
