Worth

I tell them there's a lot to learn down here on the ground

The world is big but little people turn it around

A worm can roll a stone

A bee can sting a bear

A fly can fly around Versailles because flies don't care

I have been incredibly fortunate to have grown up in a family who loves and embraces the performing arts.

I'm considered by many a Broadway baby because it has been such a big part of my life.

Theatre has been an identity and home. 

As a past performer myself, the stage was always a place where I could be myself and come alive.  

Tonight while Christmas dinner was cooking, my family sat around the living room. My Uncle asked us a series of random questions.

One particular question popped up that got my brother and sister overly excited.

"What is your favorite musical?"

My siblings excitedly spouted out a number of musicals and as usual, it was hard for me to get a word in.

One of my favorite musicals is called Les Miserables.

Les Miserables was the second Broadway musical I had ever seen.

When I mention that this musical is close to my heart, I often get puzzled looks and raised eyebrows because it is a very violent, dark, and depressing story.

I saw the show when I was 10, beginning a stage in my life where I began to realize I was awfully tiny compared to my peers.

Girls were starting to become mean and childhood was slowly fading away.

In my brown eyes the world getting more and more enormous and harsh.

The main reason why I love Les Mis so much is because of one specific character.....

Gavroche is a small boy in the musical, who becomes a leader and hero.

I remember sitting on the edge of my seat, immersed, when we were introduced to him. 

His signature song "little people" gave me joy. (Which sadly has currently been taken out and revised into something different.)

It was the very first time I had fully seen someone in my shoes.

Seeing a boy with so much fiery strength, courage, and spiciness about his smallness made me proud to be who I was.

Gavroche made the bullies back at school not so bad.

I lived by his words and life became easier.

It became less intimidating.

I learned how to fend for myself and stand up.

Even 13 years later, being on the smaller side isn't always easy. 

People can walk all over you.

Underestimate you.

Take advantage of you.

Small people are easy to pick on.  

Sometimes it seems like people don't even see you. 

Still that little French boys words ring in my ears.

I usually revert to Gavroche in my head when I am discouraged. 

To this day, his character's spirit gets me back up on my feet when I am knocked down.

This world can be a terribly cruel place, but if you stand up for yourself, you can move mountains.

When you know your worth, no one can take it away from you.

Even when you're constantly looking up to taller people, in the end, kindness is what makes someone mighty and colossal.

I love my tininess and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

And little people know

When little people fight

We might look easy pickings but we've got some bite

Author's Note

Reviews

[dan]

Kathryn, Sorry so late with this, I have not been well lately, better now.
Going back in history, the narrative is filled with people who were small in stature but huge in impact. My first wife was 4'10" tall but she made up for her size by her force of will. (Can't say much more nice about her though). Being inspired by a fictional character is not at all uncommon. I've learned some things from fiction world too. The play and how it resonated in your own size deficit is remarkable and you told the story so well. Great work, young lady!! take care...dan

[Riddhi]

Very nice story..Beautifully written...

[Philip Muls]

Hi Kathryn, I like the story, very genuine and authentic. And very true. Hardened by life itself, 'little' people often accomplish more than 'big' people, in any sense of the word.

well done!

[Kathryn Smith]

Thank you so much! :)

[samparks,sam]

good job carry on and assistant need call me

[wordman]

well,you seem to have a blessed family and life,this was a great show.i am not in to broadway persay but this was a big hit and your story is great !

[Kathryn Smith]

Thank you Wordman! I hope you had a nice Christmas! x