Stepsister

by Jennifer Donnelly

The wolves in the woods have sharp teeth and long claws, but it’s the wolf inside who will tear you apart.

History books say that kings and dukes and generals start wars. Don’t believe it. We start them, you and I. Every time we turn away, keep quiet, stay out of it, behave ourselves.

“That’s what we do with our pain,” she said, watching the butterfly rise. “We make it into something beautiful.” “We make it into something meaningful,” said the diva. “We make it matter,” whispered the actress.

Most people will fight when there is some hope of winning, no matter how slim. They are called brave. Only a few will keep fighting when all hope is gone. They are called warriors.

“I think we all make mistakes. What matters is that we don’t let our mistakes make us.”

. Don’t you see? A pretty girl must please the world. But an ugly girl? She’s free to please herself.”

Every war is different, yet each battle is the same. The enemy is only a distraction. The thing you are fighting against, always, is yourself.