As the days pass, pushing us closer to summer with no sign of warmer weather, the more we're feeling the effects of SAD. I follow blogs of women across the country, and seeing all their summer dresses and pool parties makes it even more difficult. It's also tough this time of year to work inside a basically window-less office. It's not sunny today, but on the days we do have sun, it's so hard to be stuck inside! It reminds me of a story I remember reading when I was a little girl (summary below). I suppose I can be thankful I don't live on Venus (though it sort of sounds familiar… maybe the author is from Seattle?). Any ideas on how to beat this slump??
All Summer in a Day:
The story is about a class of school children on Venus, which in this tale is a jungle world of constant torrential rainstorms, where the sun is only visible for two hours every seven years. Such an occurrence is imminent.
One of the children, Margot, had moved to Venus from Earth five years before the story takes place, and she is the only one in her class to remember sunshine. She has become frail and miserable on Venus, and almost has a nervous breakdown from the anxiety of living with the relentless rain.
Margot describes the sun as "a penny", or "like a fire in the stove". The other children refuse to believe her, claiming that she's lying and she doesn't remember.
In her misery, Margot will not play with the other children, and they bully her for her separateness and refuse to believe her memories of the sun. As the sun's predicted appearance draws near, while the teacher is out of the classroom, William, the student who most often torments Margot for being a quiet outcast, convinces the other children to lock Margot in the closet. They ignore her cries and pleas; her beating against the closet door begging to be let out.
As the sun is about to appear, the teacher arrives to take the class outside to enjoy their two hours of sunshine. In their astonishment and joy, they all forget about Margot. They run and play, skip jump and prance about, savoring every second of their newly found freedom.
All at once, a girl feels a raindrop in her hand, and with the sad realization that the rain is returning, all the children start to cry. Thunder sounds, and the children run back inside. Suddenly, one of the children remembers Margot, still locked in the closet. They stand frozen with shame for what they have done, unable to "meet each other's glances." The precious sun has come and gone, leaving Margot still pale in gloom and darkness, not having seen the sun. The children walk slowly towards the closet, now silent, and let Margot out.
(Written by Ray Bradbury, originally published in 1954. Summary from Wikipedia.)
I remember that book!! I also remember how much it bothered you that Margot missed her chance in the sun. I guess you've always loved that sunshine! I thought about you all day today - high 80s, very high humidity. With that winter we had, I did NOT complain, however, once noon passed, I took every opportunity I could to hide in the cooler shade. So you see honey, it's all in the perspective.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm trudging thru inches of snow in my boots, I try to think of our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan trudging thru sand in even heavier boots in 100 degree weather.
The sun is there - you just can't always see it :)