Polka Dots

James and Weston met at school one day and became very good friends. However, the two friends looked very different from one another. James had dark, brown skin. James’s skin was smooth and he had no markings on it. James felt like his skin was boring. Weston had fair, light colored skin. On Weston’s arms, face, and legs he had lots of darker colored polka dots. Weston felt like his skin was dirty. 

One day, the two boys were playing on the playground together and they started to notice the differences between their skins. 

“You have polka dots on your arm,” James said to Weston, pointing at his spots.

“You have nice, smooth skin,” said Weston to James.  

James ran his hand across Weston’s arm and then said back to him, “I wish I had polka dots like you do.” 

Weston pulled his arm away and looked to the ground, saying, “no, they look silly, I wish I had solid colored skin like you.”

Their teacher, Mr. Felix, had heard the boys talking and came over to join the conversation. Mr. Felix had a few polka dots, but was mostly smooth skinned. 

Mr. Felix said, “you both have very handsome skin. Those polka dots are called freckles, and many people have them. I have a few,” He showed his face to the kids to show the dots he had himself. 

“Wow, that’s so cool,” both boys exclaimed. 

Mr. Felix said, “I like your smooth skin, James. Also, I like your freckled skin, Weston. And, I like my skin too. Everyone’s skin is unique and that’s one way God made us all special in our very own way.”

From then on, James and Weston both felt more comfortable in their own skin, and were proud to be uniquely themselves in that way.