A pleasant afternoon to one and all. Today's topic is not only about a reflection of Sandra Cisneros' Eleven. It is also about the maturity of individuals. Remember that school is a place wherein students will learn something not a place to intimidate children.

Sometimes, what you are expecting will not come into reality because “Things are not always what they seem to be.” In the short story entitled “Eleven” and written by Sandra Cisneros, the day which is supposed to be one of the greatest days in the life of the protagonist named Rachel is just ruined by an old ugly red sweater that does not really belong to her.

However, if we go deeper, we can see that the young girl is combatting the odds from others who certainly had greater power than her. At some point in our life, we need to sit in our mother’s lap like we were still five, and maybe one day when we were all grown up and we need to cry it is the part of us when we were three years old.

For me, Rachel is trying to say that when we will reach the age of eleven we were also ten, and nine, and eight, and seven, and six, and five, and four, and three, and two, and one because no matter how old we are now there will still be a part from us that shows all of our past ages within us.

The story clearly shows how Mrs. Price, the teacher, treats Rachel. It portrays that bullying from the 21st century is not just done by other students, teachers can do it also. She did not give Rachel any chance to defend herself over the red sweater.

Every child wants to be heard but Rachel cannot reason out to Mrs. Price because the teacher believes that she is right for she was older. Moreover, the teacher does not want to hear the explanation of Rachel that the sweater does not really belong to her for she still insists on it to her just because she believes to her other student who said that Rachel is the owner of the sweater and that she remembers her wearing it once.

That kind of treatment to students is not okay for me because one cannot defend herself even if he/she is the right one. The words of Rachel which is “I wish I was one hundred and two” are something that is relatable. Sometimes, we want to be old enough to stand up for ourselves, to be wiser, and to have the chance to be heard since we will then be older as compared to others.

This often happens to children in situations like what is being portrayed in the story. The experiences we had when we were still young became part of our personality even as we get older. It does not mean also that as we get older all of those experiences will fade because when a certain event occurs, there is a probability that we could act like being a child again.

I think that is the reason why Rachel feels like being ten, and nine, and until one even if she is now eleven because the embarrassing moment she had from her birthday makes her act in a childish manner.

As Mark Twain quoted, “Age is an issue of the mind. If you don’t mind, it does not matter.” The story itself illustrates the level of maturity as well as the age of the protagonist. The action which Rachel has done is based on her interpretation through her experiences as an adolescent.

All of us have the right to be listened to and respected when we have something to say.

Try to consider the thoughts or reasons of everyone even if one has lesser power because all of us are equal in the eye of God. For those who are not given chance to reason out even if you are right, do not cry because you cannot reason out but stay calm and play safe for it is the best way you can do. Bullying is everywhere and sometimes the things you do not expect to happen in your life will happen in just a blink of an eye.

There are just things that will come in our life and it will surprise us and our expectations are against from the reality. If you are not ready then it is certainly not okay but if you play safe, you do not need to worry. As long as you keep yourself away from unwanted events, you will be safe. But unfortunately, some people such as students and even teachers who have power to control anybody are sometimes bad. That is why it is advisable to raise this issue.

After all, school is a place wherein students will learn something not a place to intimidate children.