You Just Can't Please Everybody

Eugene Bean was an 11-year-old boy living in America. He loved video games and had a light brown skin tone with a stylish fade haircut. Eugene's biggest wish was to impress the kids at school with his clothes, but he wasn't rich. This made him feel sad and excluded.

Every day, Eugene would see other kids at school wearing the latest fashions. They’d laugh and point at his old, worn-out clothes. Eugene felt like he just couldn't please anybody, no matter how hard he tried. He wished he could fit in.

One day, Eugene decided he couldn't take it anymore. He told his mom he was feeling sick and stayed home from school. He spent the entire day on the couch, playing video games. He thought, 'Maybe if I stay home, I won't have to worry about impressing anyone.'

- Eugene, are you okay? his mom asked. - Yeah, Mom. Just not feeling well, Eugene replied. His mother gave him a concerned look but let him be. Eugene thought playing video games would make him feel better, but it didn't.

Days turned into weeks, and Eugene continued to avoid school. He noticed something strange happening. His skin started to feel rough and lumpy. He looked in the mirror and gasped. Could it be? He was starting to turn into a potato!

Eugene tried to hide his transformation. He wore long sleeves and pants, but it didn't stop the changes. His feet turned into stumpy roots, and his arms became short and stubby. He was terrified. How would he go back to school like this?

- What am I going to do? Eugene cried out. He avoided mirrors and stayed hidden in his room. Every day, he felt more like a potato and less like himself. His mom grew more worried by the day.

One morning, Eugene woke up to find he was completely a potato. He rolled off the bed and fell to the floor with a thud. - No! This can't be happening, he shouted. He felt hopeless and scared.

Eugene's mom walked into his room and gasped. - Eugene, what happened to you? she exclaimed. Eugene tried to explain through muffled potato sounds. His mom realized something had to be done.

Eugene's mom took him to see a wise old gardener named Mr. Greenleaf. Mr. Greenleaf listened to Eugene's story and nodded thoughtfully. - It sounds like you're trying too hard to please everyone else, Mr. Greenleaf said. - But how do I change back? Eugene asked desperately.

Mr. Greenleaf smiled gently. - You need to find the wisdom to be yourself and stop worrying about what others think, he said. - But what if they don't like me? Eugene asked. - The right people will like you for who you are, not for what you wear, Mr. Greenleaf assured him.

Eugene thought long and hard about Mr. Greenleaf's words. He realized that he had been so focused on pleasing others that he had forgotten to be happy with himself. - I need to change my attitude, Eugene said to himself.

The next day, Eugene decided to go back to school. He rolled into class, and everyone stared at him. - What happened to you? one kid asked. - I turned into a potato because I was too worried about impressing you all, Eugene replied bravely.

Eugene continued, - But I realized that I don't need your approval to be happy. I just need to be myself. The other kids were silent for a moment. Then, one by one, they started to clap. - You're right, Eugene. We're sorry, said one of the kids.

As Eugene spoke his truth, he began to change back. His skin smoothed out, his arms and legs returned to normal. He felt like himself again, but better. - Thank you, Mr. Greenleaf, Eugene thought gratefully.

Eugene learned a valuable lesson: you just can't please everybody, and that's okay. He no longer worried about what others thought of him. He was happy just being Eugene Bean. And that was more than enough.