There’s No Such Thing As Imaginary Friends

The next day, at recess, Rory is upset because none of the big kids seem to want to let him play in their kickball game. He raises his hand at the sideline and jumps up and down waving, waiting to be picked for a team. “Hey! No one picked me! I want to play too!” Rory yells to the boy pitching to a group of older kids. “Sorry Kid, you’re too small, you’ll just get hurt. This is a big kids’ game.” The pitcher yells back to him. Rory really wanted to play kickball with the big kids. He was sad and frustrated. As he looked around he noticed Jack across the playground waiving to him.

“I’m glad you are here to play, Jack. I’m really sad that the big kids didn’t want me to play on their team. I’m a good kicker. They should have let me play because leaving me out hurts my feelings,” Rory tells Jack as they draw. Jack understands. “I know Rory. It’s hard when people do things that hurt your feelings. It’s ok to be sad about it. Some day they will see that you are a great kicker and a great runner too! But for now-I’ll be here when you are sad. I know you are great at drawing so let’s draw some pictures instead.

Miss Petal, Rory’s teacher, comes over to talk to Rory. “Rory, why didn’t you join the game?” asks Miss Petal. “Miss Petal, the big kids said I was too small and only big kids could play.” Rory answers “Oh, I’m sorry that happened Rory!” said Miss Petal. “Too bad they didn’t know what a great kicker you are!” Rory exclaims “I know! That’s what Jack said, too!” “You are still talking about Jack? Silly! You know there’s no such thing as imaginary friends! Come on now, let’s go get ready for the school bus. Almost time to go home.” Miss Petal reminds him as she heads toward the building.

That night after Mommy and Daddy tuck him into bed, Rory decides to talk to Jack about how frustrated he is. “Jack, I just don’t understand why the grownups keep saying you aren’t real! Why can’t they see you just like I can?” Rory asks, as he shakes his head. “Rory-they haven’t said that I’m not real.” Jack points out. “Yes, they did! Mommy did, Daddy did and even Miss Petal! You are always there to help me and make me feel better but it seems like they can’t even see you at all! I don’t understand it. They all say Imaginary Friends don’t exist but you are real! Why don’t they know that?” Rory wonders out loud.

Jack answers quietly “You know Rory-sometimes it’s hard for grownups to see people like me. They get tired and busy and have to go to work and just don’t notice some things. And they sometimes forget what it’s like to be a kid. They forget that when they were kids there were some things they just KNEW were real. It’s a problem some grownups have. I’ve got an idea though.