Latest update March 21st, 2025 7:03 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Disappointment and a beautiful mind

Nov 28, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
Very rarely do we encounter a child who can take a disappointment without feeling betrayed, matters not it does not always appears so to you, like an invisible enemy, its very much there.
Disappointing children should be seen as taboo which adults should try at all cost to avoid, there are very few things more devastating to children than disappointment, even adults are knock down by it – like a stab in the back.
Building up children then putting them down cuts deep and remain with some for exceeding long period.
When a promise is made to a child for completing a task; an achievement; for good show/behavior or simply done at your whims, then it is imperative that it be kept, failing to fulfill a promise to a child especially one that they are overtly excited about – not only make that child feels sad and broken hearted but it also extinguishes trust; confidence is lost; in his/her eyes your esteem is diminished, he/she becomes suspicious of you, thus you are hardly taken seriously in the future – except you redouble to recover lost grounds and restore in them once again trust in you.
Yet I can see it playing a purposeful and effect role being used as penalty instead of flogging to instill some semblance of discipline and value, and which must be condignly done if available. Disappointment can be crushing, as a child I can recall very vividly one I had when my school held a concert.
I was part of the acrobatic team that was selected to perform, included in our four piece performance was the formation of a pyramid which we rehearsed countless times to near perfection, believe me I couldn’t contain the excitement I was feeling.
I pictured myself a thousand times standing at the pinnacle of that pyramid, on top of all those boys arms out stretched, boy oh boy!
What a superb feeling, all those people eyes fixed, beaming at the top, I couldn’t wait for the moment.
But when the moment came for whatever reason and which I was never able to comprehend (I wasn’t even interested in one), the acrobatic pieces the pyramid with me at the top was cancelled, scratched clear out.
I tell you I was so disappointed that nothing seemed right. What I saw of the concert was from behind the curtain up to the point when we were to make our entrance, after then what went on was of no interest to me. And this is what building up a child and letting them clown does.
I have since seen this happening to many children, even at nursery schools; children who were rehearsed to be part of the show but were left out when the time came and this is not a nice thing to do. One of the most pleasing acceptances of a disappointment that I’ve ever seen displayed by a child, and which I recommend our children should see, is the movie/story “Cinderilla”, not the one with Brandy, but the other with the black girl whose father was a waiter.
After being built up, all excited about attending the Prince’s Ball, then only to be told at the last minute by a remorseful father that she can no longer attend since he failed to accumulate enough money to outfit her, disappointed as she may have been, she looked him in the eyes, saw the hurt from the expression on his face and said, that’s all right dad, I’m sure there will be many more balls to attend.
He couldn’t believe his ears, he became enliven instantly, grab hold of her a tight hug and through flowing tears was consumed by pure joy and become inspired by the words and reaction from a child with a beautiful mind which fired him to utter; I may not have the best job, but I’m sure gonna be the best waiter there ever was. Beat that.
Frank Fyffe

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

NSC, Office of the DPP to host Criminal Law and Sexual Offences Act meeting tomorrow

NSC, Office of the DPP to host Criminal Law and Sexual Offences Act...

Mar 21, 2025

Kaieteur Sports– In a proactive move to foster a safer and more responsible sporting environment, the National Sports Commission (NSC), in collaboration with the Office of the Director of...
Read More
Lucas Chung maintains strong standing at 2nd Qualifier

Lucas Chung maintains strong standing at 2nd...

Mar 21, 2025

Farm Supplies Ltd. supports Bartica Regatta 2025

Farm Supplies Ltd. supports Bartica Regatta 2025

Mar 21, 2025

Legislation and Investment: Trinidad to Brazil, Guyana finds new lifeline

Legislation and Investment: Trinidad to Brazil,...

Mar 21, 2025

Three more matches billed for this weekend

Three more matches billed for this weekend

Mar 21, 2025

CM Khan rules at 2025 National Blitz Chess Championships

CM Khan rules at 2025 National Blitz Chess...

Mar 21, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]