Benny the Banana wasn’t like the other bananas. While they all dreamed of being perfectly yellow, smooth, and straight, Benny was…well, a little bit bumpy. He had a few brown spots, and he curved in a funny little way. He worried about it constantly. He’d try to stretch himself straighter, and he’d hide his brown spots under the other bananas in the bunch.
“Oh dear,” Benny would sigh, looking at his reflection in the shiny grocery store counter. “I’ll never be a ‘perfect’ banana. No one will want *me*.” The other bananas didn’t mean to be unkind, but they’d often say things like, “Look at Benny, all wobbly!” or “He’s not nearly as bright as we are!”
One day, a little girl named Lily came to the fruit stand with her mom. She carefully examined all the bananas, looking for just the right one. She passed by the perfectly yellow, straight bananas without a second glance. Benny held his breath, trying to make himself look less bumpy.
Then, Lily’s eyes lit up when she saw Benny. “Mommy, Mommy! This one!” she exclaimed, pointing right at him. “He’s…special! He looks like he’s smiling!”
Benny couldn’t believe it. *Special?* He was usually trying to hide! Lily’s mom smiled. “He does look happy, doesn’t he? And sometimes, the bananas with a few spots are the sweetest.”
Lily took Benny home and carefully peeled him. She took a bite and her face beamed. “Mmm! This is the best banana ever!” she declared. “It’s so creamy and sweet!”
Lily didn’t care that Benny wasn’t perfectly yellow or straight. She didn’t mind his little bumps or brown spots. She loved him just the way he was. She even gave him a name – Benny Bright!
Benny realized something important that day. Being different wasn’t a bad thing at all. His bumps and curves and spots were what made him *him*. They were what made him special, and they were what made him the best banana for Lily. He learned that trying to be someone else was tiring and didn’t bring happiness.
From then on, Benny stopped trying to hide. He stood tall (or, well, as tall as a curved banana could stand) and showed off his unique self. He even made friends with the other bananas, helping them see that everyone is special in their own way. He reminded them that a little bit of difference makes the world a much brighter place.
And every time Lily ate a bite of Benny Bright, she remembered that the best kind of bright isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being yourself. Now close your eyes, little one, and remember that *you* are special too, just the way you are. Sweet dreams.