Village Squire, 1975-10, Page 19The Tall
and Short
of Us
BY ELAINE TOWNSHEND
Tall and short people have surprisingly much in common.
Height doesn't indicate a dreamer. Because the heads of tall
people are closer to the sky doesn't mean their thoughts float
among the clouds more often than the thoughts of short people.
Although the latter group walk closer to the ground, they aren't
necessarily more down to earth than tall people.
The minds of both tall and short people can soar with the birds
or sink into the dumps.
Studies show that height doesn't affect one's eyesight. Short
people can see as far as tall ones, unless a bush obstructs their
view. Sometimes tall people must peer through the leaves of
trees.
Although short people are looked down on, they shouldn't feel
inferior. The person, who is staring down, suffers from a crick in
the neck similar to the one felt by the person who is gazing up.
Tall people must tolerate the wise guys, who peer at them and
holler, "How's the weather up there?"
Meanwhile, tweaks under the chin and pats on top of the head
embarrass short people. The gestures may seem amusing; it
depends whether you're the tweaker or the tweakee.
Tall people must watch out for low doorways, ceilings and tree
branches. Finding room for their legs in a compact car requires a
special knack, and riding in such a position for a long time causes
discomfort.
When short people mingle with crowds, elbows in their faces
result. The most dangerous throngs are encountered at fairs.
Imagine having a balloon burst in your ear or a kid's bubble gum
splatter on your nose!
On the brighter side, though, candy floss bobs about the same
level as balloons and elbows. A skilful flick of the tongue turns a
hazard into a mouthful of sweetness.
Some tall people, who dislike towering over others, try to
scrunch down. As a result, they develop stooped shoulders and
bowlegs.
Short people become knock-kneed or bowlegged from
balancing on platform heels If they ever fall off their shoes,
they'll break their necks. Petite girls tease their hair until every
root feels as though it has been pulled too far.
Because I'm short, I understand the problems of this group of
individuals, and I've tried every trick imaginable to stretch
myself. I'm certain that tall people face frustrations, too.
Occasionally I feel ten feet tall; at other times, I feel three
inches small. Does that sound familiar? Usually, though I feel
about 4' 3", which to some people doesn't seem like much.
On a farm, with single strands of electrical fence around the
fields, being short is an advantage. I duck under the wire with
ease, whf 'tall people take a running leap or crawl through on all
fours. So far, I'm the only person who hasn't come up too soon.
Somewhere between too tall and too short exists a perfect
height. But humans are seldom satisfied. Those of you with the
right height probably complain about a long or a turned up nose,
or ears that are too big or that stick out, or a mouth that's too
wide or looks puckered all the time.
Let's face it folks: we are what we are. Besides, our height and
appearance don't indicate our character.
Whenever being short gets me down, I remind myself of the
old saying, "Good things come in small packages" - the immortal
words of A. Midge..
"JULIO"
I
d .'ge
•
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VILLAGE SQUIRE/OCTOBER 1975, 17