Sophie watched as the clock raced against time. She waited and hoped that recess would come soon.

She looked out the window, her mind wandering as she spotted children running across the playground. She wished she was out there with them. Suddenly, it seemed as if the window to the classroom had shifted.

Sophie found herself in a big aquarium with fish swimming around. She laughed softly when she spotted a giant gold-fish making funny faces from across the glass. She mimicked them, opening and closing her lips just as the other fish did.

She then spotted a pink shining fish, one that was distant from all the other gold fish. The fish swam alone and seemed quite shy and frightful of its surroundings. She smiled softly at it, pressing her hand against the glass while the fish swam up to her.

“Don’t be afraid fishie, you were never made to be in the background. You were born to stand out,” she spoke softly.

The fish smoothly brushed against the water and joined with the other goldfish.

Sophie began to wander the aquarium within her mind. She spotted a massive shark that clenched his jaws. She mimicked him and then said, “Don’t be so angry, Mr. Shark. Live a happy life. Those are the best kinds.”

The shark closed his mouth and moved deeper into the water.

Sophie continued to wander, encountering starfish, seahorses, shrimp, fish of every kind. But when she found herself back at the classroom, leaving the aquarium hidden between the crevices in her mind, she saw a lonely little girl sitting upon the tree. Sophie whispered, “Don’t be scared little girl, you were never made to be in the background, you were born to stand out.”

The little girl, although upon the other side of the glass, looked up at Sophie and waved.

“Sophia! Pay attention!” Yelled the teacher.

Sophie turned to the teacher who crossed his arms and grew red with rage.

“Don’t be so angry, Mr. Mark. Live a happy life. Those are the best kinds.” She whispered.

The teacher stared at her in wonder, then continued his lessons. It was as if his eyes were opened for the first time, and he saw his students in a new light.