The Real Story of the Famous Jack & Jill…

Or like it is in my head :p

Introduction…

There was once a group of high school kids who went on a school camping trip.

A kid named Jack was always cheerful. No one knew that he was an introvert. Only he did. And when it was about feelings, he used to shut down or just brush them off.

Jill was an extrovert and had many friends, which made her popular among her peers.

Story…

>Jack and Jill went up the hill with the rest of the classmates on a school bus.

Everyone had best friends and was sitting with theirs, except for Jack. He was sitting alone and masking his pain behind his big headphones, which were not even playing any music.

Later, the class teacher Mr. Bob took pity on him and told him to sit with him. While Mr. Bob was super kind and shared his apples with Jack on the journey, he still wanted to be involved with all the other kids and have some fun while playing cool games and eating Cheetos.

After what happened on the bus, Jack was not being his usual self, scared that the whole trip would be just him alone, or possibly with Mr. Bob.

Jill, a perceptive girl, noticed it and asked, ‘Hey Jack. Let’s go and help others build a tent.’

Jack was confused but obliged as it was the first time anyone offered him that.

When they started, Jill asked, ‘What is wrong, Jack? You okay?’

He didn’t tell.

When feelings are expressed and they are ridiculed or laughed at, you tend to bottle things up. Your inclination toward the communication of your feelings diminishes to the point that it makes you uncomfortable to be you, sometimes.

He was expecting a joke about it or a sentence like ‘You know you don’t share much. That is not healthy’ in return like everyone else had done. He was tired of those things.

But Jill said, ‘It’s okay, share when you are comfortable. Do you want to share Cheetos with me while we pretend to be productive with these? xD’

Jack was just happy that she asked and tried to understand him. He smiled and said, ‘Yass!’

That is how he started trusting her a bit.

> The next morning, Jack and Jill went to fetch a pail of water.

Jack took a leap of faith and finally decided to share what was bothering him, still wary of how Jill would react as others have said ‘Oh it’s no big deal. Man up, Cry baby!’ to the same situation.

He said, ‘I just want to share what you asked yesterday.’

‘Okay, go on.’

He continued, ‘I am always the last one to be selected in everything. This does not make me feel good. On the bus also, I was sitting alone. You know? Our class teacher asked me to sit with him. While all of you were laughing and playing and having fun, I was sharing apples with Mr. Bob. Not that he is weird or anything but it just doesn’t feel nice to not be seen.’

To his surprise, Jill said, ‘I understand. I noticed you but I thought you were having fun with Mr. Bob. I’m sorry. I should have sat with you or invited you.’

‘No, it’s okay. I just wanted to share.’

‘Well! You are a good man, Jack. Thank you so much for sharing. Will take care the next time.’

‘No no! You do not have to take care of it.’

‘I know, but I want to take care of it. Get it? ;)’

‘Haha Yes. Thank you!’

‘Now, is it okay if we eat marshmallows near the campfire to compensate for a bad day?’

Jack smiled and nodded. Relief on his face.

>The next evening, Jack and Jill went on a short hike before leaving.

While talking his heart out to Jill, (which he never did with anyone), Jack tripped over a stone, fell down, and broke his crown.

Instead of helping him, Jill started laughing loudly but clumsily slipped over wet mud and came tumbling after him.

They both saw each other’s stupid faces and continued laughing loudly.

In the End…

To Extroverts: Learn to appreciate everyone’s thoughts. Not only sober ones. Drunk ones too xD. As it might have taken a lot of time for the introverts to let them out.

Be patient with them and take one step at a time. Wait for it to flow.

To Introverts: Give others a chance! Take a risk of believing them and share.

Maybe potential friendships are getting lost somewhere with all your feelings safely bottled up. Respect your feelings and your feelings will respect you.

Learn to Become like wine and get better with age, not champagne and burst out with rage.

To both: If it is meant to be, it will be. Just like Jack and Jill.

Also, Stay tuned for Jill’s version too. ;)

Until then…

Toodles!

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