Can our heroes also be our villains?
“Cheryl, it’s your turn for Show and Tell. Can you show us the picture you drew of your family and tell the class a little about them?” asked the teacher as she gently nudged the small kindergartener to the front of the classroom.
“Yes, Mrs. Hummingway” stammered the girl as she timidly spoke from behind her drawing.
“My name is Cheryl. This is me.” she pointed at the little girl in the picture. “This is my mom.” She pointed at the stick figure wearing a dress beside her.
After a long pause she said, “These are my two dads.” The room became quiet.
“One is called Daddy.” She pointed at the stick figure that wore a red tie and had a large squiggly smile across his face. “And my other dad is called Charles.” She pointed at the other stick figure. Two pronounced devil horns poked out angrily from his distorted face.
The class of kindergarteners exploded into a sea of hysterical laughter. But the teacher’s forehead crinkled in an expression of worry and concern.
Later that day, when all the boisterous kids were herded out into the playground for recess, Cheryl was told to stay behind.
“Cheryl, I didn’t know you have two dads. Can you tell me more about them?” asked the teacher.
“Okay…” Cheryl answered apprehensively. “Every morning, Daddy puts on his bright red tie and showers me with hugs and kisses. Before he leaves for work, he always tells me that I will see him soon. But I only see him in the mornings.” Said the girl with a sigh.
“After school, I come home and see my other daddy on the couch. His name is Charles. That is what mommy calls him when they fight and yell at each other. He is always holding a bottle in his hand. He scares me.” She said with a whimper.
Later that afternoon, Cheryl’s mother came to pick up her daughter. The teacher stopped and showed her the family drawing. The mother looked at it with confusion and asked why there were two men in the picture. She said, “Cheryl only has one father and his name is Charles.”
Unfortunately, everyone has a shadow side. Those who haven’t fully matured yet to embrace this reality, can only see people as either a hero or a villain. They have yet to reconcile that both sides coexist within every individual.
